
«? ,14- 

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Hubert Henky Davies 



\ SINGLE MAN 




A COMEDY IN FOUR ACTS 



Salter H. Baker 6 Co.. Boston 



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THF AMA70NS Farce m Three Acts. Seren males, five females. 
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TBE CABMT MiiiisTER ^:zi^°::,tz.^::'^T. 

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HANHY DICIT F*''*'® ^^ Three Acts. Seven males, four females. 
Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors. Plays 
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THF fiAY TORI) OIIFX comedy in Four Acts. Four males, ten 

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BIS KODSE IN ORDER ^t!"oZ:^-J^T^^Z 

three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

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inic Drama in Five Acts. Seven males, seven females. Costumes, 
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■2/> 



A Single Man 



BY THE SAME A UTHOR 
Uniform with this Volume 



Mrs. Gorringe's Necklace 

Cousin Kate 

The Mollusc 

Captain Drew on Leave 

Lady Epping's Lawsuit 



A Single Man 

A New and Original Comedy 
in Four Acts 



By 
HUBERT HENRY DA VIES 



All rights reserved under the International Copyright Act. 
Performance forbidden and right of representation reserved. 
Application for the right of performing this play must be made 
to the author or his agents. 



BOSTON 

WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 

LONDON 

WILLIAM HEINEMANN 
1914 



A Single Man 



CHARACTERS 

(^i originally produced, November 8, igiO, at 
The Playhouse, London.) 






Robin Worthington 
Henry Worthington 
Dickie Cottrell 
Lady Cottrell 
Maggie Cottrell , 
Miss Heseltine 
Isabella Worthington 
Louise Parker 
Bertha Sims 
The Housekeeper . 
The Parlormaid 
The Nurse 



. Mr. Cyril Maude.' 

Mr. Ernest Mainwaring. 

Mr. Lyonel Watts. 

Miss Florence Haydon. 

Miss Dulcie Greaiwich. 

Miss Hilda Trevelyan. 

Miss Mary Jerrold. 

. Miss Nancy Price. 

Miss Dorothy Dayne. 

Miss Etnma Chambers. 

Miss Vera Coburn. 

Miss Diana Sellick. 



The action, which covers a period of three weeks, taJces 
place in Robin Worthington's house near Farnham in 
Surrey. 

Acts L III and IV.— The study. 
Act II, — The drawing-room. 




Copyright, 19 14, by Hubert Henry Davies 

As author and proprietor 

All rights reserved 



r\ 



/ 

MAR -5 1914 
Q)C!.D .'36260 



PLEASE NOTICE 

The stage-rights in this play are strictly reserved by the 
author, to whose agents applications for its use should be ad- 
dressed. Correspondence on this subject may be addressed to 
Sanger & Jordan, 1428-32 Broadway, New York. 

Attention is called to the penalties provided by law for any 
infringraents of his rights, as follows : 



"Sec. 4966: — Any person publicly performing or representing any 
dramatic or musical composition for which copyright has been obtainecl, 
without the consent of the proprietor of said dramatic or musical composi- 
tion, or his heirs and assigns, shall be liable for damages therefor, such 
damages in all cases to be assessed at such sum, not less than one hundred 
dollars for the first and fifty dollars for every subsequent performance, as 
to the court shall appear to be just. If the unlawful performance and rep- 
resentation be wilful and for profit, such person or persons shall be guilty 
of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction be imprisoned for a period not 
exceeding one year."— U. S, Revised Statutes, Title bo, Chap. 3. 



A Single Man 



THE FIKST ACT 

SCENE. — KoBiN Wokthington's study. A 

broad French window affords a view of a 
large, well-kept garden. It is towards the end 
of the mo7ith of May, so that the garden looks 
at its freshest and brightest with flowering 
trees in bloom. The room looks comfortable 
and much used, and is distinctly a man's 
room. Inhere are bookshelves on either side 
of the luindoiv. Almost facing the audience 
is Robin's writing-table ; a good-sized table, 
with all the necessary things for writing, and 
littered with letters and pamphlets. By the 
writing-table there is a small typewriter's 
desk. It has drawers doivn one side and a 
typewriter'' s machine, with a cover on, upon 
it. Other furiiiture completes the scene. Near 
a settee in front of Robin's writing-table 
there is a cradle on rockers containing a 
baby. Lying near the cradle on the floor, as 
if they had been flung there, are a Teddy- 

7 



8 A SINGLE MAN 

bear, a ray-doll, and a rattle. On the settee 
lies a small case of needles and cottons and a 
baby^s bonnet with rosettes and ribbon strings 
in the process of making. 
Isabella Wokthington, a bright attractive 
young woman of almost thirty, is on her knees 
beside the cradle. 

Isabella. 
[To the baby.] Coochy, coochy, coochv ! 
\^Putting her head close to tlie baby.] Bo ! [^She 
picks up the Teddy-bear and holds it up for the 
baby to look at as she makes a poor imitation of 
a dog barking fiercely^ Wow, wow, wow ! 
\She throws the Teddy-bear on the floor and 
bends solicitously over the cradle.] Did muzzer 
fichen baby? Muzzer didn't mean to fichen 
baby. [Captain Henry Woethington 
enters from the garden. Henry is a cavalry 
officer, a good-looking, pleasant mam, of thirty- 
fwe with conventional mind and manners. He 
wea/rs a tweed suit and is smoking a pipe. 
He stfrolls down to the cradle?^ Dada ! Here's 
dada ! Here's baby's dada. {Looking up at 
Henry.] Look at her, Henry. Doesn't she 
look sweet ? 

Henry. 

{Smiling at the baby.] Hullo, babs. {He 
pokes the baby.] Tsch ! 



A SINGLE MAN 9 

Isabella. 
[In an ecstasy.'] Did you see her smile ? 

Henry. 

[Giving the hahy a series of little pokes. ^ 
Tsch, tsch, tsch ! 

Isabella. 
Don't do it any more, dear. It might not 
agree with her. [Rocks the cradle gently. 

Henry. 
I say, Isabella. 

Isabella. 
[Brightly. ~\ What is it, dearest ? 

Henry. 
Do you think you ought to be in this room ? 

Isabella. 

Why not ? 

Henry. 
Kobin may not like to have his study turned 
into a nursery. 

Isabella. 

I shouldn't think he'd mind when it's for 
baby. 

Henry. 
Look at the floor. 



10 A SINGLE MAN 

Isabella. 
Those are baby's playthings. She threw 
them all there herself. [^Gushingly to the baby.] 
Clever little girlie ! 

Henry. 
Robin will be coming in directly and want 
to begin his morning's work. I think we'd 
better clear out. 

Isabella. 
Very well, dear — we will — [as she sits on the 
settee] by and by. 

Henry. 

It's ten o'clock. 

Isabella. 
A literary man has no fixed hour for begin- 
ning work. He waits till the spirit moves him. 
It's not as if Robin had to turn out on parade, 
punctual to the minute, like you. 

[Takes up her needle arid cotton from 
the seat beside her and begins to stitch 
the rosettes and strings on the bonnet. 

Henry. 
No — but still — we must take care not to be 
in his way. It's very kind of him to have us 
here. I don't want him to think we are making 
too free with his house. 



A SINGLE MAN II 

^ Isabella. 

I think it is so sweet of you, Henry, the way 
you never forget that you are the yotmger 
brother. 

Henry. 
[Smiling.'] I learnt ray place at school when 
Kobin was Worthington Major and I was 
Worthington Minor. 

Isabella. 
[Sewing as she talks.] I should think our 
happy little family of three makes a very bright 
spot in his dull, gray bachelor life. The other 
day — which day would it be ? How long have 
we been staying with Robin ? 

Henry. 
[ Without looking up f rain a newspaper he has 
picked up.] Four days. 

Isabella. 
Yes. Then it was the day before yesterday 
— I was sitting here with baby, and I could see 
Robin, sitting at his desk, watching us. He 
didn't say a word — but I knew so well what 
was passing in his mind. He was thinking it 
must be very nice to have a young wife sitting 
in his study while he works, and a little baby- 
waby — lovidovickins ! 

[She finishes her speech with her head in 
the cradle. 



12 A SINGLE MAN 

Henry. 
[Turni?ig Ms newspaper. 1 I should think 
Robin will always remain a bachelor. 

Isabella. 
Don't you think a man is much happier for 
being married ? 

Henry. 
{^Smiling at Isabella.] Yes — if he finds 
the right woman. 

Isabella. 
[^Smiling at Henry.] Of course. 

Henry. 
Perhaps Robin hasn't had my luck, or per- 
haps he has been too busy writing books to 
think about getting married. 

Isabella. 
[Dropping her sewing, and saying thought- 
fully.'] He needs the idea put into his head. 
It's what you and I ought to do while we are on 
this visit. 

Henry. 
{Shaking his head.'] I never believe in tak- 
ing a hand in other people's love affairs. 

Isabella. 
What do you think of Louise Parker ? 



A SINGLE MAN 1 3 

^ Henry. 

\IIaving forgotten wJio she is, echoes.] Louise 
Parker ! 

Isabella. 
You remember her. She was at school with 
me and she was to have been one of our brides- 
maids, only she had influenza. 

Henky. 
Oh, yes. I remember. 

Isabella. 
[JResuimng her sewing.'] Poor Louise ! She 
must be nearly thirty and she's never been en- 
gaged. I shouldn't think she's ever even had 
a proposal. I'm sure she'd have told me if she 
had. I thought it would be so nice for her if 
Robin fell in love with her. 

Henry. 

\^Good-hiimouredly.'] I don't see why my poor 
brother should take up with an old girl who 
can't get anybody else. 

Isabella. 
Louise isn't old, dear; she's my age — and she's 
very handsome. You've seen that photograph 
I have of her, with her hair done out at the 
sides, clutching a piece of white tulle in front. 
She looks lovely — and she isn't very much flat- 



14 A SINGLE MAN 

tered — not if she is as handsome as she used to 
be — though of course I've seeu next to nothing 
of her since we've been spending our winters in 
Egypt. 

Henry. 
No — I suppose not. 

Isabella. 
Then I thought — having a little money of 
her own would make it so much better. 

Henry. 
1 well e 
about that. 



Robin is well enough off now not to think 



Isabella. 
It would make Louise more independent. 

Henry. 
You are only looking at it from Jier point of 
view. 

Isabella. 

\^Her hand on his.] IS'o, dear, I'm not— but 

you see — poor Louise is the only one of the old 

school set who hasn't been able to find a husband. 

[Henry laughs^ and gives Isabella a 

little caress. 



A SINGLE MAN 1 5 

• Henry. 

I don't see how you propose to bring them 
together. If I remember rightly — Louise lives 
at Leamington while here we are at Farnham, 

Isabella. 
Louise might come from Leamington to 
Farnham. 

Henry. 
True. 

Isabella. 
I don't see why she shouldn't be asked on a 
little visit. 

Henry. 
Where ? 

Isabella. 
Here. 

Henry. 

To this house ? 

Isabella. 
Yes ; I thought if Robin saw Louise in his 
own home it might help to put the idea into his 
head. 

Henry. 
But Louise can't come on a visit to Robin ! 



l6 A SINGLE MAN 

Isabella. 

Yes, she can — with me here. Robin's sister- 
in-law and Louise's oldest friend. It would be 
quite all right. I'm sure Louise wouldn't mind. 

Heney. 
Robin might. 

Isabella. 
I thought I could say to Robin, that as you 
and I have no fixed home in England, perhaps 
he wouldn't mind if I invited my old friend, 
Louise Parker, to spend a few days with me 
here. I don't see how he could say No to that. 

Henry. 
You haven't asked him yet ? 

Isabella. 
No — but I've asked Louise. 

Henry. 
You haven't I 

Isabella. 
Didn't I tell you ? I wrote to her the day 
before yesterday. I told her to put off every- 
thing, and come on here immediately. I gave 
her the most glowing account of Robin. I 
should feel so happy if I were the means of 
bringing them together. 



A SINGLE MAN 1 7 

y Henry. 

\GT(mely^^ I think you ought to have spoken 
to Robin before inviting her. 

Isabella. 
[Penitently.'] Yes, dear, I see that now. 

Henry. 
He may not want her here. 

Isabella. 
[Seriously.'] That's my difficulty. I don't 
know what I shall do if Robin says he won't 
have Louise here. 



Henry. 



Put her off. 



Isabella. 
It's too late. She's in the train. She'll be 
here in three-quarters of an hour. Yes ; I re- 
ceived an eight-page letter from her this morn- 
ing. Of course when I told her to come 
immediately, I never expected she'd come at 
once. [Henry smiles in spite of hiraself. 
Isabella, seeing Henry smile., eJieers tip.] 
Dear Louise ! She's so delighted with every- 
thing I told her about Robin, She seems to 
look upon herself as engaged to him already. 



1 8 A SINGLE MAN 

Henky. 

You'd better say something to Eobin without 
delay. 

Isabella. 

Yes, I suppose we had. 

[She kneels and rocks the cradle. EoBiN 
WoRTHlNGTON comes in from the 
garden. He is a jpleasant^ wise, ret- 
icent and sweet-tempered man of forty- 
three years old. 

KOBIN. 

Hullo ! 

Henry. 
Hullo, Kobin ! 

KOBIN. 

Don't disturb yourselves. I can't do any- 
thing until my secretary comes. 

[Robin turns over some jpa/pers on his 
desk, smiling broadly to himself. Isa- 
bella looks at Heney, who makes 
faces at her, and nods, meaning that 
site must tell Robin about Louise. 

Isabella. 

[With an effort.'] I have a great friend — 
Louise Parker her name is [She stops 



A SINGLE MAN 1 9 

sJiort when she looks at Eobin and sees him 
s^iiling hroadly to himself.'] What are you 
smiling at ? 

EOBIN. 

\_Diffidently.'\ I came in here for the express 
purpose of asking you both something — and 
now I don't like to. 

Henky. 
Go on. 

KOBIN. 

You won't laugh ? 

Henry. 
No. 

Isabella. 
Of course not. 

Robin. 

"Well, then {Loohlng from one to the 

ot/ier.'] Do you think I'm too old to get 
married ? 

Isabella. 
No. 

Henry. 
No. 



20 A SINGLE MAN 

KOBIN. 

I want you to say what you really think. 

Henry. 
We are doing. 

Isabella. 
You are not at all too old to marry. 

KOBIN. 

I don't mean — I mean a girl. 

Henry. 
Of course. 

Isabella. 

So do loe. 

Robin. 
I don't think I've any time to waste. I'm 
forty-three. 

Henry. 
I thought you were forty-four. 

Eobin. 
{^Qtiite annoyed^ No, I'm not. I'm only 
forty-three. 

Isabella. 

{^Complacently ?\ Is it seeing us that has 
made you want so much to get married ? 



A SINGLE MAN 21 

KOBIN. 
^ Partly — and partly it's the spring. How can 
I keep my mind off marriage when all the 
woods and fields are filled with family life ? I 
get the same unsettled feeling regularly every 
year. 

Heney. 
/used to get it before I was man'ied. 

KOBIN. 

All the bachelors do in the pairing season. 
I've no doubt my case is a good deal aggravated 
this year with watching you two and the baby. 
Do you know before you arrived — I rather ex- 
pected your domestic happiness might irritate 
me, but — [he smiles at them hotJi] I find it ex- 
tremely attractive. It makes me quite jealous. 

Isabella. 
l^BecJconing Henry to her she whispers to 
hiin while Robin's hack is turned.^ He's abso- 
lutely ripe for Louise. 

Henry. 
[As Robin turns to them.] I've often won- 
dered how it is you've escaped so long. You 
used to be constantly falling in love. 

Robin. 
That was before I could afford to marry. I 
got over them all. One can't miss for long 



22 A SINGLE MAM 

something one never had. Since the days that 
you remember I've been so busy getting on in 
the world, and so afraid that marriage would 
interfere with my work, that I haven't encour- 
aged myself to think of it. But now that I 
have got on — I seem to have come to a kind of 
full stop, ISTothing matters as much as it did ; 
my friends don't ; my career doesn't. A great 
many bachelors experience the same sort of 
feeling round about forty. It's not pleasant: 
it's alarming. I ought not to be losing my 
grip on life yet — but to retain it I need a new 
interest — an interest outside myself. I need — 
[indicating Isabella who is gently rocking the 
cradW] that's what I need. 

[lie goes up to the window^ and out into 
the garden a few steps, standing with 
his hack towards Heney and Isa- 
bella. Henry goes to Isabella 
(md sits beside her. 



Henry. 
Hadn't you better tell him about Louise ? 

Isabella. 
If I tell him now — after what he's been say- 
ing — he'll think I've asked her here on purpose 
for him to fall in love with — and that makes a 
man so angry. 



A SINGLE MAN 23 

Heney. 
^ Pretend you've asked her here because Fm 
so fond of her. 

Isabella. 
No, Henry, I won't ! 

Henry. 
You must tell him she's coming. 

Isabella. 
I know I must. 

Henry. 

Shall /tell him? 

Isabella. 
No, I'U tell him. 

Henry. 
Well, tell him. 

Isabella. 
I'm going to. 

\£nter Gladys, a young parlour-maid. 

Gladys. 
[Addressing Robin.] Miss Cottrell has 
called, sir, and would like to see you. 

Eobin. 
Oh ! Show her in here, please. 



24 A SINGLE MAN 

Gladys. 
Yes, sir. [She goes out. 

Isabella. 

[In a quick whisper to Henky.] How an- 
noying: just when I was going to tell him 
about Louise ! 

EOBIN. 

[Addressing them hothj] It's Lady Cottrell's 
little girl — Maggie. They are neighbours of 
mine. 

[Maggie Cottrell enters. Maggie is 
a very pretty, healthy, smiling girl of 
seventeen, full of vitality. She carries 
a hasket of grapes. 

Maggie. 
Good-morning ! 

KOBIN. 

[Meeting Maggie and shaking hands with 
her.] Good-morning, Maggie. 

Maggie. 

Mother thought you might like these few 
grapes. [She offers the grapes to RoBlN. 

Robin. 

[Taking the hasket.^ That's very kind of 
you. [Lays the hasket on his writing-table. 1 



A SINGLE MAN 25 

Please thank your mother very much. Let me 
introduce you to my sister-in-law, Mrs. Worth- 
"^ington. 

Isabella. 
[^Shaking hands with Maggie.] How d'you 
do? 

Maggie. 
Quite well, thank you. 

KOBIN. 

[^Introducing Maggie to the cradle.'] My 
niece — Miss Pamela Grace Mary Worthington 
— Miss Maggie Cottrell. 

Maggie. 

[Peering at the hahy.'] What a sweet little 
kiddie ! 

[Rocks the cradle violently from side to 



Isabella. 
[Alarmed.'] Stop, stop ! Don't do that ! 

[She snatches the hahy out of the cradle. 

Maggie. 
I thought they liked it. 

Isabella. 

[Trying to he pleasant about it] You were 
doing it just a trifle — violently. 



26 A SINGLE MAN 

I'm so sorry ! 

Isabella. 
It doesn't matter. 

Maggie. 
{^Peering at the hahy.'] It is a little love. 

EOBIN. 

"When you've done adoring the baby, this is 
my brother — Captain Worthington. 

[Heney and Maggie shake hands. 

Henry. 
How do you do ? 

Maggie. 

Quite v^ell, thank you. [To Isabella.] 
May I look at its toes ? 

Isabella. 
[^Proudly exhibiting the haby^s toes.'] There ! 

Maggie. 
Aren't they ducks ? 

[She touches them with hei' forefinger. 

EOBIN. 
\To Henry, stniling as he watches ISABELLA 
and Maggie.] Isn't she charming ? 



y 



A SINGLE MAN VJ 

Henry. 
Isabella ? 

Robin. 

Maggie. 

{He continues smiling lenevolently at 
Maggie as lie watches her. 

Maggie. 
[To Isabella.] May I hold it ? 

Isabella. 

Certainly — if you'd like to. [She gives the haby 
to Maggie to hold.] You'll be very careful, 
won't you ? 

Maggie. 
Trust me. [Maggie sits smiling at the haby. 
Robin sits watching Maggie and smiling all 
the time. Maggie to the hahy.] Puss, puss, 
puss ! 

Robin. 
[Murmuring as he watches Maggie.] 
Charming ! 

Maggie. 
[Looking at Robin.] What d'you say ? 

Robin. 
[Slightly confused.] Nothing~I was only 
thinking — nothing. [To Isabella.] AVouldn't 
she make rather a good study for a Madonna ? 



28 A SINGLE MAN 

Isabella. 
Not in a hat. 

Maggie. 

\To make conversation^ says to Isabella.] 
What do you feed it on ? 

[RoBiisr and Henry glam.ce at each other^ 
embarrassed. 

Isabella. 
Beef and potatoes. 

[Robin and Heistry again glance at each 
other^ then look away, trying not to 
smile. 

Maggie. 
[^Suddenly thrusting the hahyfrom her.'] Oh ! 
It's going to have convulsions. 

Isabella. 
[Hurrying to Maggie, snatches the hahyfrom 
her. She tries to he polite, hut is visibly annoyed.] 
It's because you are not holding her prop- 
erly. Give her to me, please — thank you. [She 
ca^'ries the hahy towards the window, jigging it.] 
Did she say we were going to have convulsions ? 
Tell the naughty lady it was because she didn't 
nurse us nicely. 

[A nurse appears at the window and re- 
mains a few minutes in conversation 
with Isabella. She carries a shawl. 



A SINGLE MAN 29 

Henry joins them. After a few mo- 
^ ments the Nurse takes the haby from 

Isabella cmid disappears into the 
garden with it. While they are thus 
occupied, Maggie speaks to Robin. 

Maggie. 
I'm not much of a hand with a baby. I 
think I'd better be getting home. 

Robin. 

Don't go yet. What have you been doing 
lately? 

Maggie. 
Playing tennis most of the time and larking 
about generally. We had great fun last evening 
—tobogganing down the stairs on tea-trays. 

Robin. 
Who was with you ? 

Maggie. 
Dickie, and one or two other boys, and Flos- 
sie, and Bertha Sims. We call ourselves the 
gang. [Holding out her hand.] Good-bye. 

Robin. 

[Taking her hand and retaining it.] Good- 
bye, Maggie. 



30 A SINGLE MAN 

Maggie. 
Shall I take the basket back with me, or call 
again ? 

KOBIN. 

Call again— soon. 

Maggie. 
I'll come back for it in about twenty minutes. 
[She withdraws her hand and goes towards 
Isabella.] Good-bye, Mrs. Worthington. 



Good-bye. 
Good-bye. 



Isabella. 
Maggie. 



Henry. 
Good-bye, Miss Cottrell. 

KOBIN. 

[Moving to open the door for her.'] When 
you come back — don't ask for the basket — ask 
for me. 

Maggie. 

Right ! 

[Maggie goes out; Robin closes the 
door after her, then turns to Henry 
and Isabella. 



A SINGLE MAN 3 1 

KoBiisr. 
^ That's the girl I was telling you about. 

Isabella. 

iPuzzled.'] What girl ? 

Henky. 

I don't remember you telling us about any 
girl. 

ROBIT^. 

I was beginning to, when — in she came. 
Wasn't it a coincidence ? 

Isabella. 
lAfter a look at Henry.] You are not tell- 
ing us you intend to marry Miss Cottrell ? 

Robin. 
l^Shyly.'] I thought of doing so. [Isabella 
and Henry looh at each other in surprise. 
Isabella's surprise amounts to dismay.'] 
Don't you like her? 

Henry. 

She's charming. 

Isabella. 

Yery pretty — but isn't she rather too young 
for you f 



32 A SINGLE MAN 

Robin. 
No ; I may be too old for her, but she's not 
at all too young for me. That's what I want 
— youth and sunshine. It would keep me 
young. {Taking Heney hy the arm cmd 
jpointing to the garden.'] Think of Maggie 
running about that garden, springing over the 
flower beds in pursuit of butterflies. {Drop- 
ping Henry's anr-in he says with enthusias7n.~\ 
The very vision of it makes me feel almost a 
boy. 

Isabella. 
If you really were a boy 

Robin. 

{Interrupting her.'] If I really were a boy, 
I should see nothing so wonderful in youth. 
One needs to have reached my age to realize its 
charm. 

[Robin sits at his table a/nd begins fuss- 
ing with papers. 

Heney. 
[Impressed with Robin's last remark, says to 
Isabella.] There's a world of truth in that, 
Isabella. 

Isabella. 
{Mtbch more impressed by her own idea, says 
carelessly.] Oh, yes, there is. [OoiTig nearer 



A SINGLE MAN 33 

to EoBiN.] But though you look so boyish for 
■^your age 

KOBIN. 

A man is as old as he looks. 

Isabella. 
Feels. 

KOBIN. 

Tou don't know how old I feel. 

Isabella. 
But Henry and I can't help being a little 
afraid — that if you married any one so young 
as Miss Cottrell — you might miss the com- 
panionship we hoped you would find — in 
marriage with some older and more intellectual 
woman. 

Eobin. 
I don't want a wife with ideas. She'd argue 
with me. 

Hei^ry. 
[Speaking across Eobin to Isabella.] I 
have noticed, Isabella, that clever men often 
choose stupid wives. 

Eobin. 
{Indigna/ntly to Henry.] She's not stupid. 



34 a single man 

Isabella. 
[Bluntly.] She has no idea what to do with 
a baby. 

Robin. 

[A little shocked and embarrassed.] My dear 
Isabella — how you do run on ! I don't think 
we ought to discuss this matter so prematurely. 
I have no reason to suppose that Maggie takes 
the slightest interest in me. [ITe S7mles as he 
continues.] At least — I hadn't — till this morn- 
ing. 

Henry. 
This morning ? 

Robin. 
Yes. 

Isabella. 
Something she said ? 

Robin. 
ISTo. 

Henry. 
What then ? 

Robin. 

[PointiTig to the basket of grapes.] Those 
grapes ! What do I want with grapes ? I'm 



A SINGLE MAN 35 

not ill. It's merely an excuse of Maggie's to 
come and see me. I feel greatly encouraged. 
[He hecoraes absorbed in the jpajpers on 
his desk. 

Isabella. 

Didn't you hear her say it was her mother 
who sent her with the grapes ? 

Robin. 

Maggie is quite sharp enough, and quite in- 
dependent enough to send the grapes by the 
gardener if she didn't want to bring them her- 
self. 

Isabella. 

That may be, but 

RoBiisr. 

Suppose we drop Maggie and the grapes. 
I'm rather sorry I said anything about either of 
them. I don't think I ought to have done so. 
[Beside Isabella and very jjleasantly.] You 
were beginning to tell me something about 
somebody when I first came in. 

[Henry stands watching them to see how 
Isabella gets on. 

Isabella. 
About my old friend, Louise Parker. 



36 


A SINGLE MAN 




Robin. 


Oh, yes. 






Isabella. 


Such a nice girl. 




Robin. 


Keally ! 






Isabella. 


I'm sure 


you'd like her. 




Robin. 


I'm sure 


I should. 



Isabella. 
I thought perhaps you wouldn't mind if I 
invited her to come and see me here. 

Robin. 
Of course, my dear Isabella — any friends of 
yours would be most welcome. 

Isabella. 
Thank you. Should you object if Louise 
stayed a few days ? 

Robin. 
[^Delighted.'] The very thing ! It would be 
an excuse to invite Maggie. 



a single man 3/ 

Isabella. 
^ Oh! 

[She looks at Henry in dismay. Henry 
laughs at Isabella's face of dismay. 

EOBIN. 

[Goes on without heeding them and delighted 
with his own idea.'] Why, yes — don't you 
see — if you have a girl friend staying in the 
house, Maggie might be running backwards 
and forwards all day long. She has nothing to 
do. When do you want Miss — Miss — your 
friend to come ? 

Isabella. 
She's coming this morning. I took the lib- 
erty of 

EOBIN. 

[Interrupting her.] I'm so glad you did. 
Nothing could be more fortunate. I'll go and 
tell Mrs. Higson to get a room ready. [He 
goes towards the door.] Maggie might come to 
tea this afternoon. [He goes out. 

Isabella. 

[As soon as the door is closed.] Oh, Henry, 
can't you do something ? 

Henry. 
Why shouldn't he marry Maggie ? 



38 A SINGLE MAN 

Isabella. 

[Indignantly. '\ Henry ! 

Henky. 
I've known several cases of men marrying 
girls half their age that turned out very well 
indeed. 

Isabella. 
But what am I to say to Louise ? 

Henry. 
Louise hasn't got an option on him. 

Isabella. 
Don't make jokes about it, dear; she'll be 
here in less than half an hour. 

Heney. 
Louise must take her chance. I should think 
when we've been here a little longer, we shall 
find that the neighbourhood bristles with women 
who want to marry Robin. 

[He-enter RoBIN. 

RoBiJsr. 
I'm sorry, but I shall have to ask you to 
leave me now. Miss Heseltine is coming. 

Isabella. 
[Suspiciously.'] Who's Miss Heseltine ? 



A SINGLE MAN 30 

Robin. 
^'My secretary. 

\IIe sits at the writing-tcMe and gets a 
jpen and paper. 

Isabella. 
Do you have a woman secretary ? 

[She gloMces at Henky. 

RoBiisr. 
Yes. I've been taking more or less of a 
"holiday since you came. That's how it is you 
haven't seen her. 

Isabella. 
{After another significant glance at Henry.] 
Is she pretty ? 

Robin. 
I really don't know. I think so. I see her 
so much I forget what she's like. 

Isabella. 
That's absurd ! 

Robin. 

It's quite true. You see — I'm always work- 
ing when she's here. It's like thinking aloud 
to talk to Miss Heseltine. I feel just as com- 
fortable with her in the room as if she wasn't 
there. \He hegins to write. 



40 A SINGLE MAN 

Henky. 
Come along, Isabella. He wants to get to 
work. 

Isabella. 
[Joining Heney.] Yery well. I shall have 
to go to the station directly to meet Louise. 

[They go out. Robust is absorbed in his 
writing., and does not look ujp as Miss 
Heseltine enters. 
{Enter Miss Heseltine. She is a 
sweetrfaced woman of twenty-eight., 
with unoht/rusi/oe manners hut plenty 
of character and determination. She 
zs neatly and very plainly dressed, 
o/nd carries a note-booh in her hand. 
She moves about in a quick, business- 
like fashion. 

Miss Heseltine. 
Good-morning, Mr. Worthington. 

Robin. 
Good-morning, Miss Heseltine. 

[Miss Heseltine expresses disapproval 
as she sees the Teddy-bear, rag-doll, 
and rattle lying on the floor. 

Miss Heseltine. 
Tsch, tsch, tsch ! 

{She gathers up the Teddy-bear, rag-doll^ 



A SINGLE MAN 4I 

rattle^ work-hox, and the hahy's honnet, 
^ pitches them all into the (ypadle y drags 

it to the corner. She then seats herself 
at her desk^ takes the cover off her type- 
writer, and gets tivo sheets of paper 
from the drawer of the desk. 

RoBiJsr. 
Where did we leave off last time ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
We were writing that article on fossils. 

Robin. 
I don't feel at all like fossils to-day. 

Miss Heseltine. 
\Putting the paper in the machine ^^ We 
don't need to send it in before Friday. 

Robin. 
I have an idea for a poem. 

Miss Heseltine. 
Some more of those topical verses ? 

Robin. 
No — just an ordinary little poem about love. 

Miss Heseltine. 
{Taking a swift surprised look at RoBiN he- 
fore she speaks.'] Quite a new departure. 



42 A SINGLE MAN 

KOBIN. 

Take this clown. 

\IIe paces the room, thoughtfully^ hefore 
speaking. He then hegins to dictate^ 
soulfuUy. 

Come hither, my beloved, 

[Miss Heseltine makes a short, sharp, 
businesslike attack on the keys of her 
machine. RoBiN continues as hefore. 

With shining, smiling eyes, 

[Miss Heseltine repeats the attack, 
Robin continues as hefore. 

And soft sweet lips — 

[Again Miss Heseltine types. RoBiN 
drops the far-away voice in which he 
has dictated the poem,. 

Robin. 
It's no good. I can't concentrate my mind. 
It's all in a turmoil. Tear it up, please, will 
you ? \He stands at the window, looking out 
into tJie garden with his hack to her. MiSS 
Heseltine takes the sheet of paper otd of the 
machine, moves her lips as she reads the poem 
over to herself with cm affectionate senile. 



A SINGLE MAN 43 

Robin's attention is ohviously attracted hy 
Something he sees in the garden. He speaks 
without turning round.'] How pretty ! 

Miss Heseltine. 
Are you still dictating ? 

[She hurriedly folds up the slieet of 
paj)er with the poem on it. 

Robin. 
No. I was watching the housemaid flirting 
with the postman. There's nothing so charm- 
ing to see as a pair of lovers. [Miss Hesel- 
TiNE smiles to herself as she tucks the poein into 
the hosoin of her dress. Robin comes towards 
his desk, idly turning over a slieet or two of 
paper to cover the emho/rrassment he feels in 
saying the following.'] It may surprise you — 
what I am going to ask you [Miss Heseltine 
is very attentive], but — I want to get married. 
[Miss Heseltine is so surprised she drops her 
ruler on the floor with a clatter. Robin hurries 
to pick it tip for her. She rises, picks it up, and 
sits again.] The girl I want to marry is some 
one I've known very well for a long time. I've 
been in the habit of seeing her constantly, but 
hitherto — we have only been on friendly terms. 
[Miss Heseltine nods her head, groA^ely.] I'd 
like to get on to sentimental terms with her. 
[Miss Heseltine nods her head, smilvngJ\ 



44 A SINGLE MAN 

It's always a little difficult to change a long- 
established friendly relationship into a senti- 
mental one — not difficult exactly — but it needs 
careful handling. You see what I mean ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
[^Drojyping her eyes.'] I think I do. 

EOBIN. 

I'm afraid I may make the transition too 
abruptly — startle her — perhaps even frighten 
her away. So I want you to help me if you 
will. 

Miss Heseltine. 
[Looking ujp at liim.] How ? 

Robin. 
Before asking her the definite question I 
should so like to find out — if possible — whether 
she has anything more than a friendly feeling 
for 7ne. 

Miss Heseltine. 
Have you no idea ? 

Robin. 
None — at least — very little. 

Miss Heseltine. 
Perhaps you have given her no direct sign of 
the change in your feelings towards her. 



A SINGLE MAN 45 

KoBiisr. 
-^No ; I haven't. 

Miss Heseltine. 
Then I don't see what she can do. 

Robin. 
You think, then, that she may be in love with 
me without showing it ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
I'm quite sure of that. 

Robin. 
She may want to but be afraid to ? 

Miss Heseltine. 

That's it. 

Robin. 

{Moving about restlessly.'] A man can feel 
just as shy about breaking the ice as a girl. 
It would be dreadful to get a rebuff. She 
might laugh in my face. Girls have been 
known to be very unfeeling towards middle- 
aged suitors. They think it's funny to lead 
them on till they get a proposal and give a 
refusal — and then they go and tell their friends 
about it. {He picks up a letter and folds it 
nervously^ I don't want to risk anything of 
that sort — so I was wondering if you'd be so 
kind as to say something first. 



46 A SINGLE MAN 

Miss Heseltine. 
[^Taken aback.'] Me speak first ? [Turning 
away from Mm.] Oh, no — I couldn't ! 

KOBIN. 

[Coming and standing close to her shoulder.'] 
I only mean — if you could help me to find out 
in some way — what kind of an answer I should 
be likely to get. [He pauses.] It's Maggie 
Cottrell. [Miss Heseltine must express, un- 
seen hy Robin, the grief and disa])]pointment she 
feels in learning that it is Maggie he has meant 
and not herself^ You know Maggie Cottrell ? 
[Miss Heseltine 'bends her head.] She's a 
friend of yours ? [Miss Heseltine bends her 
head again.] A great friend ? 

Miss Heseltine. 

We are not in the same position, of course, 
but she has always been kind to me and taken 
notice of me. 

EOBIN. 

Has she ever given you any confidences ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
Yes. 

Robin. 
[Shyly.] Anything about me ? 



A SINGLE MAN 47 

Miss Heseltine. 
No. 

KOBIN. 

[ With a little note of disappointTnent.l Oh ! 
{^Moving away as he says, thoughtftdly.'] That 
might either mean that she takes no interest in 
me at all, or that it's too deep for words. [7b 
Miss Heseltine again.] Are you sure you 
wouldn't mind ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
I should like to do whatever would please you, 
but — do you think I'm the best person for this ? 

EOBIN. 

You are the only person. I don't know any 
one else I could ask such a thing of. I never 
feel shy with you. I was telling my brother 
just now — it's like thinking aloud to talk to 
you. 

Miss Heseltine. 
[Quietly.'] I'm glad you feel that. 

EOBIN. 

[JV^ot noticing Miss Heseltine, he says smil- 
ing to himself.] Dear Maggie — so young and 
so pretty. [Miss Heseltine rises. He had 
almost forgotten her presence for a moment in 
thinking of Maggie. He turns to her smiling 
apologetically 7] I beg your pardon. 



48 A SINGLE MAN 

Miss Heseltine. 
Forgive me for what I am going to ask you. 
[She goes to him and says, very gravely^ You 
are quite, quite sure that this would be for your 
happiness and your good ? 

KOBIN. 

Yes. I'm quite sure. I've thought it all out. 
It's so dull here, and I'm becoming such an old 
fogey. If Maggie would have me she'd cheer 
me up as nobody else could. She'd be the re- 
making of me. 

Miss Heseltine. 
\_Q^detly^^ I'll do what you want me to do. 

Robin. 
It's very kind of you, Miss Heseltine. You 
can approach the subject quite lightly, you 
know — almost chaffingly. 

Miss Heseltine. 
Oh, no, I couldn't do it that way. If I do it 
at all — I must do it seriously. 

[The front door hell rings. 

Robin. 

Maggie come back for her basket. I'll slip 

out and leave her with you. [He goes towards 

the window.] If you want an excuse for me 

not being in my study [seising the basket of 



A SINGLE MAN 49 

gro/pe8\ I've gone into the pantry to put these 
grapes on a dish. That'll look very natural. 
^ \IIe goes out hurriedly. Re-enter Mag- 
gie hy the door. 

Maggie. 
{Coming just inside the room.] Isn't Mr. 
Worthington here ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
He's gone to get your basket. 

Maggie. 
Oh! 

Miss Heseltine. 
Will you stay and talk to me f 

Maggie. 
Yes — with pleasure. 

\8he sits on the settee watching MisS 
Heselthste and waiting for her to 
hegin the conversation. Miss Hesel- 
tine slowly approaches Maggie and 
then sits beside her. 

Miss Heseltine. 
Have you ever thought of marriage ? 

Maggie. 
[Cheerfully.'] Oh, yes — often and often. 



50 A SINGLE MAN 

Miss Heseltine. 
Thought what it means — to leave your pres- 
ent life behind you and go and live his life with 
him f You'd have to love him very much to 
do that. 

Maggie. 
I should say so. 

Miss Heseltine. 
Perhaps you've already asked yourself 
whether there's any one you'd be willing to 
give up everything for? [Maggie smiles 
hnowingly sideways at Miss Heseltine.] Do 
you sometimes ask yourself that question ? 

Maggie. 
Every time I meet a nice-looking man. 

Miss Heseltine. 
Then you've never thought of any man seri- 
ously ? 

Maggie. 
Are you alluding to Mr. Worthington ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
[^Rather' taken hack a/nd embarrassed^ Well, 
yes — I — did mean 

Maggie. 

Did he ask you to — to ? 



A SINGLE MAN 5 1 

Miss Heseltine. 



Tes — to 



Sound me. 
That's it. 



Maggie. 
Miss Heseltine. 



Maggie. 
{Pleased and surprised.'] Well, I never ! 

Miss Heseltine. 
You may think it's funny for me to sound 

you 

Maggie. 
I didn't thinlc of that. What made him pitch 
on you f 

Miss Heseltine. 
[ With a touch of 2y'r'ide.'\ I know him better 
than any one else does. I'm only his secretary 
of course, but I've been working for him for 
five years now, and what with dictating to me, 
and talking about his work to me, and saying 
his thoughts aloud to me 

Maggie. 
[ With no idea of gimrig offense.'] He has 
come to look upon you, I suppose, as part of 
your machine. 



52 A SINGLE MAN 

Miss Heseltine. 
IMeekly?^ That's it. 

Maggie. 

{Iinjpulsively seizing Miss Heseltine hy 
the arm.'\ Go on — tell me — what else did he 
say ? [ Wriggling towards her. 

Miss Heseltine. 
That's all. He just wanted me to find out if 
there was any hope for him. 

Maggie. 
[ Whispering loudly in Miss Heseltine's 
ear.] Tell him " Yes." 

Miss Heseltine. 
Have you made up your mind already ? 

Maggie. 
Ages ago. Mother and I have frequently 
discussed the probabilities. [Giggling.] "Mrs. 
Worthington " — just think of it ! 

[She laughs and kicks out her feet in 
front. 

Miss Heseltine. 
{Looking at her gravely P\ I shouldn't have 
thought it would make you laugh. 



A SINGLE MAN 53 

Maggie. 
{^Sweetly.'] Why shouldn't I laugh if I'm 
ha^py ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
I thought when you heard that a man like 
Mr. Worthington wanted to make you his dear 
wife — you'd feel more like going on your knees. 

Maggie. 
[Impressed.'] Of course it has its serious side. 

Miss Heseltine. 
That's what I want you to see — if you don't 
think I'm taking a liberty in saying so. I'm 
older than you, and I've had a harder life than 
you. There were many things at my home to 
make me grow up sad and serious minded : it's 
all been bright for you. You've had no occa- 
sion yet to take life seriously — but you will 
have when you marry. You'll find him diffi- 
cult to understand at times — moody, and even 
a little irritable, like all very clever people are ; 
then you must be patient, and remember that 
your husband is a great man. Some days he'll 
take himself off to the clouds, and then, if you 
think of yourself more than him, you'll be say- 
ing, "• I might as well not exist for all the notice 
he takes of me." Those are the hardest times — 
the times when he doesn't seem to notice your 



54 A SINGLE MAN 

existence. But if you take a kind of pride in 
keeping quiet and not bothering him, and not 
letting other people bother him — it'll make it 
easier for you. It'll all be quite easy if you love 
him enough. That's what it needs — real love — 
deep love \hending forward sJte takes her haoids], 
love that knows how to wait patiently. Look 
after him well — won't you ? [Her voice falters.'] 
Excuse me preaching you such a sermon. [Re- 
enter RoBiisr, with the emjpty basket. Miss Hes- 
ELTINE goes toioards him.] I've done what you 
wanted me to [Robin sntiles\ and now, if you 
don't mind, I'll go home. I've got a headache. 
[Exit Miss Heseltine quickly. 

Robin. 
[Looking after Miss Heseltine.] I'm so 
sorry, Miss Heseltine, so very sorry ! [He turns 
to Maggie, who rose when he entered. They 
are hoth exceedingly emharrassed and stand 
smiling foolishly at each other. After a jpause 
he says.] Well — Maggie. 

Maggie. 

[Looking at the ground.] "Well — Robin. 

[Robin looks at the basket in his hand., 
then looks about him for a place to 
deposit it, makes a few hesitating 
movements., and finally puts it on 
the writing-table and comes towards 
Maggie. 



A SINGLE MAN 55 

KOBIN. 
r Ye7'y nicely and gently.'] You are very 
sweet. [Maggie ])uts up her face expecting to 
he hissed ', lie kisses her.] Dear Maggie, I am 
very much touched that you care for me. 
[Maggie, smiling., sits on the settee. He sits, 
taking her hand and' looking at it.] What dear 
little hands ! {Se puts his arm round her waist 
and kisses her again.] 

\The door is suddenly thrown open. 
Enter Isabella, followed hy Louise 
Paeker. Isabella comes marching 
gaily in, dressed in her out-door 
clothes. Louise is tall, graceful, af- 
fected, beautifully dressed and twenty- 
nine. 

Isabella. 

\8iyeaking as site enters.] Here's Louise! 
{^She stops petrified, as she sees EoBiN and Mag- 
gie sitting in a sentimental attitude on the set- 
tee.] Oh ! 

[EoBiN and Maggie, very much embar- 
rassed, jump up as they enter. LouiSE 
comes towards Robin, who goes towards 
her, holding out his hand. 

Robin. 
How d'you do, Miss- Miss 



56 A SINGLE MAN 

Louise. 
[Languidly gimng hiin he?' hcmd.'] Parker 
— Louise Parker. 

EOEIlNi. 

I hope you've had a nice journey from — 
from 

Louise. 
Leamington. 

\_T/iere is a pause of emhaTvassiiient. 
Robin looks at Maggie and goes to 
her. 

Maggie. 
[ Whisjpering to Robin.] Hadn't you better 
tell them we are engaged ? 

Robin. 
Yes. [Turning to Isabella and Louise 
who look towards J dm as he sj^eaks.^ Miss Cot- 
trell has just consented to become my wife. 

[He takes Maggie's hand. Another long 
pause of eiiibarrassTnent. Isabella 
and Louise look at each other in coto- 
stemation. Robin looks at Maggie. 

Maggie. 
[Going to Isabella.] I know without you 
telling me that you congratulate me. Thank 
you very much ! [She shakes Isabella warmly 



A SINGLE MAN $7 

hy the hand. Isabella does not respond. She 
does nothing hut submit to have her hand 
shgjcen. Maggie then turns to LouiSE and 
snaJces her warmly hy the hand^ Thank you 
very much. [Louise submits in the same m^an- 
ner as Isabella. Maggie turns to Robin.] 
I'll be off home now to tell the family the 
joyful news. 

\8he takes her basket from, the table and 
goes to the window. 

Robin. 
I'll come with you. \_To Isabella and 
Louise.] You'll excuse me, I'm sure — under 
the circumstances. I shall be back to lunch. 
Come along, Maggie. 

[Robin and Maggie go off. Louise 
looks after them, then at Isabella. 

Isabella. 
\^In great distress.'] My poor Louise — what 
must we do ? 

Louise. 
We must lay our heads together, dear, and 
see if we can't wean him away from her. 

\_8he unfastens her coat as the curtain 
falls. 



THE SECOND ACT 

SCENE.— KOBIN WoRTHiNGTOJSr's drawing- 
room. A large French window stands wide 
open and all the windows afford a view of 
Robin's garden ; a diff^erent view from that 
seen from his study windoiv. The firej^lace 
is hanked up with ferns and flowering plants. 
There are plenty of comfortable armchairs, a 
cushion seat and two settees. Against the 
wall a cabinet. Up by the window a good- 
sized oval table is laid ivith a white cloth and 
tea-things for eight people. Chairs around 
this table. 

Three weeks have passed by since the first 
act. It is half-past four on an afternoon in 
June. 

Henry and Isabella and Louise Parker 
are in the room. Henry is looking off' from 
the window. ISABELLA is seated on one sofa 
and Louise on the other. Henry wears 
tennis flannels., and ISABELLA and LouiSE 
are charmingly dressed for a garden party. 

Laughter and noise are heard off' in the gar- 
den ; the loud young voices of Maggie and 
Dickie Cottrell ayid Bertha Sims. 
The voice of Bertha is then heard above 
the laughter. 

58 



A SINGLE MAM 59 

Bertha. 
[^In the garden.'] Stop it, Dickie ! Come on, 
Mag! Play! 

\_The laughter and noise die away. 

Henry. 
Robin's engagement really has rejuvenated 
him. There he is, running about the tennis 
court like a boy of fourteen, picking up balls for 
Maggie in the most gallant way. [To Isa- 
bella.] There's no doubt about it — he's tre- 
mendously in love with her. 

Louise. 
[^Languidly.] He has only been engaged to 
her for three weeks yet. [Henry looks at 
Louise with marked disapj^roval. Isabella 
merely looks resigned and hored. LouiSE goes 
towards the window, saying graciously to Isa- 
bella as she passes her.] I'm going out to 
talk to Lady Cottrell. [She goes out. 

Henry. 
[Indignantly.'] However much longer does 
that woman intend to stay ? 

Isabella. 
[Resigned.] I wish I knew. 



6o A SINGLE MAN 

Henry. 
It's monstrous ! Lingering on week after 
week, uninvited — making up to Robin in this 
extraordinary fashion. 

Isabella. 
Louise has not improved since she left school. 

Hefry. 

The way she manoeuvres to get him alone, 
insists upon reading everything he writes, and 
is always trying to give the conversation an 
intellectual turn. 

Isabella. 

[^Letting herself go in irritation against 
Louise.] Oh, yes— and the way she keeps 
coming down-stairs in one elaborate gown after 
another, gliding about so gracefully — and he 
takes no notice of her. 

Henry. 
A good thing for us that he doesn't see what 
she's up to — since she's our friend. 

Isabella. 
[^Meekly.'] Mine, dear. 

Henry. 
[^Stamping about.~] What is her object in it 
all? Does she think she'll get Eobin away 
from Maggie ? 



A SINGLE MAN 6t 

Isabella. 
That was what she said she meant to do 
when she first came. But, as you know, dear, 
X soon let her see I couldn't countenance any- 
thing of that sort. It's one thing to try and 
make a match, but it's quite another thing to 
try and break off an engagement. 

Henry. 
Doesn't she see that ? 

Isabella. 
When a woman doesn't wish to see a thing 
she has very little difficulty in persuading her- 
self that it is not so. I can quite understand 
that it was very disappointing for Louise to 
come all the way from Leamington for noth- 
ing — but it wasn't my fault that Robin got 
engaged just before she arrived. 

Heney. 
He probably wouldn't have taken any notice 
of her anyway. 

Isabella. 
That's what I told her to try and console 
her. 

Heney. 

What troubles me most is that it looks so bad 
for you for her to be staying here so long and 



62 A SINGLE MAN 

behaving in this way. It looks as though you 
encouraged her. 

Isabella. 
I know. It presents me as a most repulsive 
character. But what can I do? She simply 
won't go. 

Henry. 
You've given her some good strong hints, 
haven't you ? 

Isabella. 
Dozens ! 

Henry. 
What does she say ? 

Isabella. 

She doesn't say anything. She just stays. 
It looks as if she meant to stay forever. 

Henry. 
I'm afraid you'll have to be rude to her. 

Isabella. 
I've been ruder to her already than I ever 
was to any one in my life. 

Henry. 
I don't see how any one else can say any- 
thing to her. You invited her. 



A SINGLE MAN 63 

Isabella. 

\_Troubled^^ Don't reproach me, darling. 
You don't know how I regret writing that 
letter. 

Heney. 

[Going towards her to comfort herJ\ I'm not 
reproaching you, dear. 

Isabella. 

I can't help feeling you are displeased with 
me. [She begins to cry. 

Henry. 
No, dear. 

Isabella. 

I'm afraid you are — but you know, Henry — 
[she swallows her tears and looks up at Henry] 
I do love you and baby. [They embrace?^ 

[Enter Louise and Lady Cottrell. 
Lady Cottrell is a strong, alert, 
opinionative woman of ffty; her 
clothes are loose and comfortohle with- 
out hevng eccentric. 

Louise. 

Lady Cottrell and I have come in to see if 
tea is ready. 



64 A SINGLE MAN 

Henry. 
I suppose we must wait for Robin. 

Lady Cotteell. 
Not at all. Ring the bell. \8he sits on the 
sofa. Isabella obediently rings the hell.'] He's 
forgotten all about us. He thinks only of 
Maggie. [Addressing Isabella.] Have you 
heard? We are going to have the wedding 
quite soon. 

Isabella. 
{Interested.'] Oh — no — I hadn't heard. 

Henry. 
Nor had I. When is it to be ? 

Lady Cotteell. 
In six weeks. 

[Louise places her hand to her heart. 
Lady Cotteell stares at her with- 
out betraying ernotion of any hind. 
Henry and Isabella exchavige 
glances. Louise totters towards Isa- 
bella. 

Louise. 

\To Isabella.] Have you got your vinai- 
grette about you ? 



A SINGLE MAN 65 

Isabella. 

\IrTitoMy detaching a vinaigvette from the 
long chain which she wears round her neck^ 
There ! 

Louise. 
— Thank you, dear. \8he sniffs the vinaigrette as 
Isabella glances at her with the utmost dis- 
approval. Louise smiles wanly at Lady Cot- 
TRELL.] I felt a little faint. 

Lady Cottrell. 

Your dress is too tight. [Henry giggles. 
Louise gloMces haughtily at Lady Cottrell, 
turns from her as If not deigning to reply ^ as 
she sniffs the vinaigrette., and sits down. Lady 
Cottrell addresses Isabella.] That's the 
cause of nearly all the fainting — tight-lacing. 
\^She pulls her dress away from her in front to 
show that she is not tightly laced.'\ I don't 
faint ! It's the cause of a great deal of bad 

temper, too — not to mention biliousness 

Yes. In six weeks. August the tenth. Why 
should we wait ? Nothing to wait for except 
the clothes. 

Louise. 

Do you think it's wise, dear Lady Cottrell, to 
let your girl be married so young ? 

Isabella. 
[Angrily under her l)reath.~\ Louise ! 



66 A SINGLE MAN 

Lady Cottrell. 

Wisel Of course I think it's wise or I 
shouldn't let her do it. 

Louise. 

It seems to me to be thrusting responsi- 
bilities upon her almost too early. [ With 
a raj)id, affectedly im/pulsiwe moveinent, she 
darts to the cushion seat and drops grace- 
fully upon it almost at Lady Cottrell's 
feet^ Do let her remain a child a little 
longer. 

[Isabella looTcs at Henry, who shimgs 
his shoulders. 

Lady Cottrell. 

Every girl ought to be married by the time 
she's twenty. / was — so were my two sis- 
ters ; so was my eldest daughter, and so shall 
Maggie be. Marriage comes natural to a girl 
at that age. She loves her husband and obeys 
him instead of sitting up and criticizing him 
as they do if they haven't acquired the wifely 
habit in good time — the good old habit of 
subjection. It's all due to this present craze 
for late marriages that we have so many 
hysterical spinsters. They don't know what's 
the matter with them, but their mothers do. 
Nothing infuriates me more than the way our 
modern young women spend the time when they 



A SINGLE MAN 67 

ought to be having children, in thinking 
and reading and writing and talking about 
marriage; deciding among themselves what 
men ought to be like. ]^J the time they 
think they are ready to put on their orange 
blossoms, they've grown so exacting they 
can't settle down to one man. Maggie shall 
marry in good time. \_Enter Gladys toith 
the tea, and plate of hot huns which she places 
on the oval table up staged] Tea ! [^Cheer- 
fully.'] I feel about ready for it after that 
harangue. 

[ Goes up to inspect the tea table. Gladys 
goes out. Henky joins Lady Cot- 
TRELL at the tea table. Louise re- 
mains drooping upon the cushion-seat 
the picture of despair. Isabella 
goes towards the window, passing be- 
tween Louise and the sofa. 

Lsabella. 
[As she passes Louise.] Get up ' 

Louise. 

[Slowly rising to her full height and saying 
tragically to herself] August the tenth ! 

[She presses her hand to her temples. 

Isabella. 
[At the window.] They've finished their 
game. 



68 A SINGLE MAN 

HenkYo 
Are they coming in ? 

Isabella. 

Yes. Racing to see who'll get here first. 
Bertha Sims is last. 

Lady Cotteell. 
Who's first ? 

Isabella. 

Your son. 

{Enter Dickie Cottrell carrying a 
racquet. He is a bright-faced, merry 
hoy of eighteen. He wears tennis flan- 
nels. He enters running. 

Dickie. 

Here we are ! [Dickie runs i/n, then turning 
to looh at the others who are following.'] Come 
along, Mr. Worthington ! 

[Robin and Maggie enter., handin hand., 
running. RoBiN is rather blown. 

Maggie. 
I'd have won if you hadn't held me back. 



A SINGLE MAN 69 

Robin. 
\_Protesting.'] I can run as fast as any of you. 

Dickie. 
Are you out of breath, Mr. "Worthington ? 

Robin. 

[ Who dbmously is out of hreath.^ No, of 
course I'm not out of breath. 

Maggie. 
Shall we all sprint back to the tennis lawn 
and back again ? 

Robin. 
[Very positively.'] No! Certainly not ! 

Dickie. 

[Dancing up stage and looJcing off in the direc- 
tion they ha/oe come.'] Here comes Bertha ! Go 
it, Bertha ! Run, Bertha ! 

[He claps his hands. 

Maggie. 
[Clapping her hands and dancing about 
with Dickie, screaming.'] Bertha ! Bertha ! 
Bertha ! 

[Enter Bertha Sims. Bertha is a fat 
girl of sixteen. She is puj^iig o/iid 
blowing as she runs in. 



70 A SINGLE MAN 

Bertha. 
I didn't get a fair start. 

EOBIN. 

[Zaug/mig.] Poor Bertha ! 

Dickie. 
Good old Bertha ! 

[He slaps Bertha soundly on the hack. 

Bertha. 
Don't ! 

Lady Cottrell. 
Dickie ! You mustn't do such things as that. 
[Dickie is niomentarily subdued. 

Maggie. 

[Dancing uj) to the tea table.~\ Come on, come 
on, come on. Tea ! 

[She seats herself at the tea table. 

EoBIN. 

Come on, Dickie. We'll have tea at the big 
table. 

Dickie. 

{Making RoBiN jpass in front of him.^ i ou 
must sit beside your inamorata. 

Robin. 
[Going to the seat by Maggie, he says before 
he sits.^ Come along, Bertha. 



A SINGLE MAN fl 

Bertha. 
Where shall /sit? 

Robin. 
Anywhere. 

[RoBiisr and Maggie j?(9wr out the tea to- 
gether. 

Dickie. 
Don't make a fuss, Bertha. It doesn't mat- 
ter in the least where you sit. 

[Bertha sits down. 

Lady Cottrell. 
[ Jb Louise.] I think we may as well let the 
gentlemen wait upon us, don't you, Miss Parker ? 

Louise. 
August the tenth, did you say ? 

Lady Cottrell. 
Yes ; I suppose you'll have gone away by 
then ? 

Louise. 
[^Mysteriously.'] I don't know. 

\_There is some general chattering and 
laughter at the tea table. 

Henry. 
May I give you some tea, Lady Cottrell ? 



72 A SINGLE MAN 

Lady Cotteell. 
Thank you. 

[She takes a cujp of tea from Heney. 

Heney. 
[Givijig another cwp to Louise.] Tea ? 

Louise. 
Thanks. 

Lady Cotteell. 

\_CalUng out.'] Dickie ! Bring Miss Parker 
and me some buns. 

[Shrieks of laughter come from the tea 
table. They all look towards it. 

EOBIN. 

[Rising and scarcely able to speak for laugh- 
ter.] Bertha — has just stuck her thumb in the' 
strawberry jam. 

[He sits down shaking with laughter. 
All the others laugh, too, except Louise. 
Beetha, sticking hsr leftthumb, laughs 
round at them all, delighted with 
herself. 

Lady Cotteell. 

[Turning to Louise says, laughing.] Bertha 
has just stuck her thumb in the strawberry jam. 

[Louise doesn't laugh. 



A SINGLE MAN 73 

Dickie. 
Oh, Bertha, jou are a disgusting girl ! 

Maggie. 

Sit down ! 

[She throws a piece of food at Dickie. 
They all laugh and chatter round the 
table. 

Lady Cottrell. 

{To Louise.] How delightful it is to see 
Mr. Worthington unbend with the young peo- 
ple ! No one would think, to look at him now, 
that he's a clever man. 

[Lady Cottrell and Louise turn to 
look at RoBlTsr, who is whispering 
with Maggie, his face nearly under 
the hrini of her hat. Louise rises 
hastily, and goes up towards the 
window. 

Isabella. 

[Anxiously to Henry.] What is Louise up 
to now ? 

Louise. 

[Calling.'] Mr. Worthington. [RoBiisr is so 
engrossed in Maggie he doesnH hear LouiSE. 
She calls louder.] Mr. Worthington ! 



74 A SINGLE MAN 

RoBiisr. 
[^Turning to Louise.] Yes ? 

Louise. 

Do come here. I want to show you some- 
thing. 

Robin. 
[To Maggie.] Excuse me a minute. 

\_Ile joins Louise. 

Louise. 

{Affectedly^ indicating the meio from the 
windo'w.^ Aren't the various lights and shad- 
ows in the garden lovely ? 

Robin. _ 

Lovely ! 

[^He hurries hack to his seat heside 
Maggie. 

Louise. 

[Gazing across the garden.^ They remind 
me of Bruges. 

[She looks round and finds him gone^ 
then she gets a hook and sits down. 

Isabella. 
[To Henry.] Trying to make out she's so 
travelled. 



A SINGLE MAN 75 

Bertha. 
I say, can any of you do this ? 

[She throws a lump of sugar in the air 
and tries to catch it in her 7nouthj hut 
fails. 

Maggie, 
Yes. [She throws a piece of food at Bertha. 

Bertha. 
Pig! 

[She throws a piece of food hack at 
Maggie. Maggie throws a hun at 
Bertha. Lady Cottrell laughs 
heartily. 

EOBIN. 

Can you do this ? 

[Juggling with some lumps of sugar. 

Maggie. 

[Tahing lumps of sugar from the sugar-hasin.~\ 
Oh ! I must try that. One, two, three ! 

[Juggling with them. 

Dickie. 

[Also juggling with lumps of sugar. 1 One, 
two, three ! — Don't jog me. 

Bertha. 
Look ! [She tries to halance her teaspoon on 
her nose. 



76 A SINGLE MAN 

[Enter Miss Heseltine with a type- 
written letter in her hand. She re- 
mains near the door, a little timid 
among all the noise and laughter 
which seems to greet her. They sub- 
side when she enters., and all look 
towards her. E.OBIN comes down to 
Miss Heseltine. 

Robin. 
What is it, Miss Heseltine ? 

Miss Heseltine. ^ 

You asked me to bring you this letter as soon 
as it was written. 

Robin. 

Oh, yes. \Taking the letter from Miss Hes- 
eltine he reads it over to himself.'] That 
seems all right. [He looks at Miss Heseltine 
and says kindly.] You look tired. You'd bet- 
ter leave off for to-day and go home. 

Miss Heseltine. 
I haven't finished typing the American article. 

Robin. 
"Won't it do to-morrow ? 



a single man jj 

Miss Heseltine. 
You promised to send it off to-night. 

KOBIN. 

But I don't want you to overwork yourself. 

. Miss Heseltine. 
If I didn't overwork myself — / might lose 
my head, too. 

[She takes the letter out of his hand and 
goes out quickly with it. Robin looks 
after her till she has closed the door. 
Louise comes towards him, smiling^ 
with a small volume in her liand. 

Louise. 
Mr. Worthington, have you read this new 
volume of Eastern Poems ? 

Robin. 
[Preocoupied.^ Yes. 

Louise. 
Do you think we are meant to take them 
literally or allegorically ? 

Robin. 
Both. 

[He passes Louise and sits on the cushion 
seat., taking out his cigarette case and 
helping himself to a cigarette, while 
Louise sits on the settee and perukes 
the volume of Eastern Poems. 



78 A SINGLE MAN 

Dickie. 
[Coming to Robin.] Shall we go and play 
some more tennis ? 

Robin. 
Not yet 

Dickie. 
Why not ? "What are we waiting for ? 

Robin. 
Digestion. 

Dickie. 
You don't need to digest a cup of tea and a 
handful of buns. 

Robin. 
You don't, /do. 

Dickie. 
Mag! 

Maggie. 
Yes? 

Dickie. 

Make him come and play tennis. He's 
slacking. 

Maggie. 

{Coming to Robin.] Don't make him play 
if he doesn't want to. {Kindly to Robin.] 
ril go and play with them while you have 
your snooze. 



A SINGLE MAN 79 

KOBIN. 

[Jumping up as if he had been shotJ] Snooze ! 
I don't want a snooze ! [Gaily. ^ Who's com- 
ing to play tennis ? 

Bertha, 
[Still eating a bun.] I'm ready. 

Maggie. 
Come along then. 

[Maggie goes into the garden, running. 

Bertha. 
Wait a tick. 

[Exit Bertha, running and eating. 

Dickie. 
Come along, Mr. Worthington. 

[Exit Dickie running. 

Henry. 
I say, Eobin, you'd much better not play 
again immediately. 

Robin. 
Why ? They do. 

Henry. 
They are a generation younger than you. 

Robin. 
I wish everybody wouldn't treat me as if I 
were an old gentleman. 

[He goes out after them. 



8o A SINGLE MAN 

Lady Cottrell. 

I declare, Captain Worthington, your brother 
is the youngest of the party. 

Henry, 

He'll pay for it to-morrow. He'll be so stiff 
he won't be able to walk. 

Lady Cottrell. 

After a few sets of tennis ? He's not as old 
as all that. 

Henry 

It's not the tennis that's going to find him 
out. It's all that idiotic ragging and jumping 
about and screaming. It's not natural at his 
time of life. A man of such sedentary habits, 
too. 

Isabella. 

If he's not very careful he'll break one of his 
ligaments. 

Louise. 

It's so bad for him intellectually to mix with 
such very young people. A man of his ability 
ought not to have been so much amused when 
Miss Sims stuck her thumb in the strawberry 
jam. 



A SINGLE MAN 8 1 

Lady Cottrell. 

/ was exceedingly amused. It was a 
thoroughly characteristic example of British 
wit and humour. 

[She goes out. Isabella glances at 
Louise who is again absorbed in the 
Eastern Poems before she says to 
Henry in an undertone. 

Isabella. 

I consider the way Louise behaved all through 
tea was nothing short of scandalous. 

Henry. 

You'll really have to say something to her. 
You'd better take this opportunity. 

\_Exit Henry. 

Isabella. 
Louise — I'm ashamed of you ! 

Louise. 

\^In mild sicrprise.'] Why ? 

Isabella. 
Everybody must have noticed. 

Louise. 
What? 



Si A SINGLE MAN 

Isabella. 
The way you run after Robin. [Louise 
looks affronted.^ Your attempts to wean him 
away from Maggie — [with a reproving smile as 
Louise is about to retorf] your own words, 
dear. [Louise haiigs her head.'] And it's not 
only to-day, it's all the time. I don't know 
what Lady Cottrell must think. 

Louise. 
[Betorting.'] I am only treating Mr. Worth- 
ington as I treat every man. 



Isabella. 



I hope not. 



Louise. 
I mean to say — I'm amazed you should see 
anything to criticize in my behaviour. 1 am 
sure no one — except you who know why you 
invited me and are therefore, I suppose, on the 
lookout for motives in everything I do — no one 
else could say otherwise than that I treat Mr. 
Worthington in a perfectly easy and friendly 
manner, 

Isabella. 
It was the same thing at school. 

Louise. 
I don't know what you mean. 



a single man 83 

Isabella. 
You can't have forgotten the young man with 
the bicycle who lived opposite ! 

Louise. 
\_Angry.'] I wasn't the only one. You and 
Jinny and Margaret were just as bad. 

Isabella. 
There ! That is an illustration of what I 
mean. You think we were as bad as you. 

Louise. 

You were. 

Isabella. 

"We were all just as madly in love with him, 
but we none of us went the lengths you did. 
We only smiled at him and waved our pocket 
handkerchiefs. You used to write him letters 
and threw nosegays at him out of your bed- 
room window — till he got in such a fright he 
told his mother and she complained, and you 
were expelled, 

Louise. 
{Crestfallen.'] I don't see why you need rake 
that up now. 

Isabella. 
I only remind you of it because you are still 
doing exactly the same sort of thing. 



84 A SINGLE MAN 

Louise. 
When have I ever written a letter to Mr. 
Worthington ? When have I thrown a single 
nosegay at him ? 

Isabella. 
You've got beyond that I should hope. What 
I mean to say is — here you are again, making 
the boldest advances — without apparently real- 
izing that you are doing anything out of the 
ordinary. 

Louise. 
[Childtshli/.] I'm very much hurt that you 
should think such things about me. You've 
made me feel horrid. 

Isabella. 
Let me give you a word of advice, Louise. 

Louise. 
Well, what is it ? 

Isabella. 

It's not the way to succeed in love to be so 
persevering. 

Louise. 
[Sitting on the floor at Isabella's /"ee^m the 
attitude of 07ie willing to learn.'] What do you 
think would be a better way ? 



a single man 85 

Isabella. 
Be more reticent. If you don't encourage a 
man too much he will make advances. 

Louise. 
[Thoughtfully J\ ISTot always. 

Isabella. 
You must show him now and then that you 
like him. 

Louise. 

Of course. 

Isabella. 
But don't show him too often. Otherwise he 
takes fright or gets bored — or says to himself, 
"I can have her any time," and takes no 
trouble, so nothing comes of it. 

Louise. 
That's so true ! 

Isabella. 
[ Warming to her subject.'] Baffle them a bit. 
Then they begin to wonder about you till their 
heads become so full of you they can think 
of nothing else. That's love. [As she Tneets 
Louise's earnest and i7iqui/ring gaze she stops 
short.'] Oh ! [ Uneasily.] I hope you don't 
think I am giving you hints as to how to suc- 
ceed with — any one in particular ? 



86 a single man 

Louise. 
Oh, no, dear. We were speaking quite im- 
personally. 

Isabella. 
I can't think how I allowed myself to be led 
away into considering the best ways to attract 
men except that the subject is so engrossing. 
But that's not what we are talking about. I'll 
have nothing to do with helping you to wean 
Robin away from Maggie. I've told you so re- 
peatedly. I don't think you ought to be here. 

Louise. 
Whenever I propose leaving, M7\ Worthing- 
ton invariably asks me to stay on. 

Isabella. 
Mere politeness. 

Louise. 
I couldn't very well leave by the next train 
because I found on my arrival that Mr. Worth- 
ington was engaged. 

Isabella. 
I never suggested you should leave by the 
next train. The right and proper thing for you 
to have done was to have stayed here for two 
or three days, and then had an engagement else- 
where. 



A SINGLE MAN 8/ 

Louise, 
[^Thought/ ally.'] I had thought of leaving 
to-morrow. 

Isabella. 
That's right. 

Louise. 
But I have just heard that the wedding day 
is fixed for August the tenth. It'll look very 
funny if I leave now. 

Isabella. 
It'll look much funnier if you don't. 

Louise. 
Every one would say, " Miss Parker stayed 
until the wedding day was fixed, then, seeing 
she had no chance, she left." Oh, no — I can't 
leave now. It would be putting myself in a 
very false position. 

Isabella. 
You canH hang on like this ! \MarcMng 
towards Louise and saying with great determi- 
nation.^ You really must go — please, dear. 

Louise. 
{^Calmly and seriously.'] And do you sin- 
cerely believe, Isabella, that Maggie Cottrell 
will make him happy ? 



A SINGLE MAN 



Isabella. 



That's nobody's business but his. He has 
chosen her. He is engaged to her, and he is 
going to be married to her in six weeks. 

Louise. 

[^Moving about, as she says, dramatically.'] 
It must be stopped ! Why can't yoti do some- 
thing ? Why doesn't your husband interfere ? 
He ought to save his brother. Poor Mr. 
Worthington is out of his mind. He's in- 
fatuated, bewitched. He'll be bored to death 
in no time by that wretched chit of a child. 

Isabella. 

\_Quit6 iMiimpressed hy Louise's exhibition 
of feeling.'] When ai'e you going to leave ? 

Louise. 
[^Deliberately.] I haven't made up my mind. 

Isabella. 
I shall tell Henry. \_Enter Kobin quickly. 

Robin. 

[Indignantly.] What do you think? 
They've got tired of playing tennis, and now 
they want to play hide-and-seek all over the 
garden ! I won't do it. [Isabella laughs^ 



A SINGLE MAN 89 

Louise. 

ISmilmg at^OBm.'] Poor Mr. Worthington ! 
We'll protect you. 

EOBIN. 

IStill speaking indignantly.'] I can't keep 
this up. I've been on the go ever since 
three o'clock. [He sits.] The more they run 
about the livelier they get, but / don't. 
l^Enter Maggie. Robin does not see her^ 
as his lack is towards her.^ Maggie 'puis 
her finger to her lips as a sign to Isabella 
and Louise not to let Robin know she is there. 
She advances towards Robin smiling^ and on tip- 
toe., then suddenly puts her hands over his eyes 
and laughs. Robin, take7i by surprise, is ex- 
ceedingly annoyed, struggles, and says, crossly.] 
Don't do that. Who is it ? [He frees himself, 
rises, and seeing Maggie softetis.] Oh! 
Maggie, is it you ? [He takes her hand and 
says kindly.] I'm sorry I spoke crossly— but 
you know, my dear — I think you are getting a 
little old to do that sort of thing. 

Maggie. 

[Sweetly.] You said the other day that the 
way I play and run about is one of my chief 
charms in your eyes. 



90 A SINGLE MAN 

KOBIN. 

I like you to be playful prettily. 

[He talks apart with Maggie. 

Isabella. 
\To Louise as she goes towards the door.'} 
Come along, Louise. I don't think we are 
wanted here. [She waits for Louise. 

Louise. 
[Rising reluctantly., glances at RoBlN and 
Maggie, and then joins Isabella.] He is 
beginning to get bored with her. I shall cer- 
tainly not leave yet. 

[Isabella and Louise go out. 

Maggie. 
Shall we go out ? 

KOBIN. 

Presently. 

Maggie. 
It's a sin to stick in the house on a day like 
this. [RoBllsr inmtes her in smiling dumh show 
to come and sit heside him on the sofa. She 
comes toivards him as she says.'] Very well. 
We'll sit here just five minutes. 

[She springs on to the sofa heside him 
and nestles close up to him. He puts 
his arm round her. 



A SINGLE MAN 9t 

Robin. 
This is the nicest part of the whole day. 

Maggie. 
I love playing hide-and-seek. 

EOBIN. 

I love having you all to myself. 

[Maggie smiles itp in his face, then 
gives his nose a little playful pinch. 
He hisses her hand. 

Maggie. 

[^Counting the huttoris down his coat loith her 
foreJhiger.'\ One, two, three, four, I feel 
terribly kiddish to-day. Some days — when it's 
fine and bright like this — I just want to run 
about very fast all the time like a field-mouse. 

Robin. 

Don't you ever want to sit still and bask like 
a lizard ? 

Maggie. 

Oh, no, never — at least — not for long at a 
time. I always want to be up and doing. I 
feel as if I could dance and sing the minute I 
get up in the morning. 

Robin. 
I can't bear being active before breakfast ! 



92 A SINGLE MAN 

Maggie. 

Can't you ? / can. [He puts his arm 
further round her to draw her closer to him.'] 
Wait a minute. That's not comfortable. [She 
sits up and shakes herself^ then leans her hack 
against his shoulder, iti a 7nost tinro7na7itic posi- 
tion.'] There ! That's better ! [She lets her 
head fall hack on his shoulder, which places him 
in a most uncomfortable position.] I could go 
to sleep like this. 

KOBIN. 

/couldn't. 

[Miter Gladys to clear away the tea- 
things followed hy Mrs. Higson. 
Mes. Higson is the housekeeper; a 
iniddle aged respectahle looking wonnan. 
Maggie sits up and then goes to the 
window. 

Maggie. 

She's come to clear away. We'd better go 
out. 

EoBiisr. 
[Also rising.] She'll have finished in a min- 
ute. [To Mrs. Higsox.] We've made rather 
a mess there, haven't we, Mrs. Higson ? 

[Takes a cigarette. 



A SINGLE MAN 93 

Mes. Higson. 

What does that matter, sir, so long as you 
enjoyed yourselves ? 

EOBIN. 

After all — one is only middle-aged once. 

Maggie. 
I sJwuld enjoy a good game of hide-and- 
seek. 

[RoBiN" takes out his match-hox and 
strikes a match. Maggie runs quickly 
towards him and blows out his match. 

Robin. 

[Taken hy surprise, is annoy ed?\ Oh, don't 
—please. What a silly thing to do. 

Maggie. 
{Laughs?^ All right. I won't do it again. 
[Having gathered uj) everything Mrs. Higson 
goes out. Robin strikes a second match and 
while he is doing so Maggie snatches the ciga- 
rette out of his mouth and runs away with it, 
soRjing gaily.'] I didn't say I wouldn't do that. 
I love playing tricks on people. [Gladys /o^ 
lows Mrs. Higson off with the tea-cloth and cake- 
stand. Robin sits on the settee looking very 
solemn.'] You aren't cross, are you ? 



94 A SINGLE MAN 

EOBIN. 

No, dear, but you know — sometimes — you 
are just a little bit rough. 

[Maggie crosses to hiirh and kisses Tiim 
on the cheek ve7'y nicely and gently, 
then steeps hack. He smiles at her quite 
won over. 

Maggie. 

Shall we go out now ? 

KoBiisr. 
Soon. \Lea7is towards her.'] Sit down and 
have a little talk first. 

[Maggie, showing no inclinatioii to he 
cuddlesoTne, sits on the cushion seat. 

Maggie. 
What do you want to talk about ? 

EOBIN. 

[Smiling.] August the tenth. 

Maggie. 
We talked about that this morning. 

Robin. 
[ Wistfully.'] Do you remember that even- 
ing when we sat in this room for a long time, 
holding each other's hands and hardly saying 
a word ? 



A SINGLE MAN 95 

Maggie, 
{Cheerfully r^ We were two sleepy things. 
We'd been out in the air all day. 

KOBIN. 

It was such a happy, restful evening. 

Maggie. 
Wasn't it — but when I'm feeling really strong 
there's nothing I like so well as to dance till 
midnight and end up with a good pillow fight, 

Robin. 
[Slowly and thoughtfully.'] There is a great 
dilTerence — in our ages. 

[Enter Miss Heseltine. She carries a 
numher of loose typewritten pages in 
her hand. 

Maggie. 
Hullo, Miss Heseltine. 

Robin. 
[To Miss Heseltine.] Do you want me 
for anything ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
I can come later on, if it's inconvenient now. 

Robin. 
If you wouldn't mind. 



96 A SINGLE MAN 

Maggie. 
{Springing up.'] No. This is business. [To 
Miss Heseltine.] You told me I must never 
interfere with his business. I'll go out and 
play with Dickie and Bertha. / don't mind. 

[She pats Robin's artn and goes off to 
the garden sTcippingly — and calling 
" Dickier 

Miss Heseltine. 
{Referring to the pages in her hand.] There 
seems to be something wrong with this. 

EoBIN. 

{Takes j>ages.] Is that the American article ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
Yes. I wouldn't have disturbed you with it 
now, only it must go to-night. 

Robin. 
"What's wrong with it ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
You've written parts of it in the first person 
singular and other parts in the first person 
plural. 

Robin. 
Not really ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
Yes. 



A SINGLE MAN 97 

KOBIN. 

{^Glancing down the sheets.'] So I have. How 
did I come to make such a mistake as that ? 

Miss Heseltike. 
[Primly.'] You must have had your head 
full of something else. 

ROBITT. 

[Turning over the sheets.] Like when I wrote 
that article the other day and called beer rice. 

Miss Heseltine. 
Yes. And in the last chapter of the new 
novel you called several of the characters by 
the wrong names. 

RoBi]sr. 
[Looking at her hefore saying., gravely.] Has 
all my work been careless lately ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
Yes, very. 

RoBiisr. 
Sit down, won't you, while I look over this. 
[Miss Heseltiiste sits.] It means going 
over the whole thing carefully from beginning 
to end, and I am so tired ! [Turning over a 
page or two.] ^ can't do any good with it till 
I've had at least an nour's rest. 



98 A SINGLE MAN 

Miss Heseltine. 

That throws it so late. It has to be typed 
after you^m been through it. 

KOBIN. 

[Sighi/ng.'] Oh, dear, then I suppose I must, 
but you know — it's not so much that I'm tired 
physically. It's my brain — it's completely dis- 
organized. I can't concentrate. 

Miss Heseltine. 

I think / could make the necessary changes 
if you'd trust it to me. [She comes towards him.'] 
I could take it home to do and bring it back to 
you this evening. 

EOBIN. 

Why take it home ? Why can't you do it 
here? 

Miss Heseltine. 
There's too much noise in the garden. 

EOBIN. 

[ With a tveary little smile.'] It isn't like our 
usual quiet afternoons, is it ? 

Miss Heseliine. 
Ko, it isn't — not at ail. 



A SINGLE MAN 99 

KOBIN. 

It won't be like this much longer. When 
I'm married and we've settled down — ^you and I 
will be able to work together peacefully again 
— as we used to do. Shan't we ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
\Taking the jpages from hi7n.~\ I'm afraid 
not. 

RoBiisr. 

Why not ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
Because when you are married — I shan't be 
here. 

RoBiisr. 
\_8urprised.'] What do you mean ? You 
won't be here ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
I'm leaving Farnham. 

EOBIN. 

Leaving ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
Yes. 

ROBIN". 

Where are you going ? 



lOO A SINGLE MAN 

Miss Heseltine. 
I don't know quite. I think I shall go and 
live in London. 

KOBIN. 

That's not far away. You can still come and 
work for me — can't you ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
I don't think so. {^Moves as if to go. 

KOBIN. 

"Wait a minute. I want to know about this. 

Miss Heseltine. 
That's all. I find I must leave. 

EOBIN. 

[^Going towards her.'] People don't usually 
leave without giving a reason. [Miss Hesel- 
TiNE hesitates.'] I think you owe me some ex- 
planation. 

Miss Heseltine. 
[^Looking at the pages in her hand.'] I must 
go and do this now. 

EOBIN. 

{Ta'king 'her by the arm.] Sit down and tell 
me why you want to leave me. 

[Miss Heseltine reluctantly sits again. 
He watches her all the timey standing. 



A SINGLE MAN lOl 

Miss Heseltine. 
There's no particular reason — that I can give 
you. 

KOBIN. 

What do you intend to do after you leave 
here? 

Miss Heseltin^e. 
That hasn't been definitely decided yet. 

EOBIN. 

Then why need you go ? [Miss Heseltine 
looks on the ground.'] I don't want to be too 
inquisitive, but it's so extraordinary that you 
can't give me any reason. 

Miss Heseltinb. 
I need a change. 

KOBIN. 

If it's a holiday you want 



Miss Heseltine. 
[Interrupting him.] Oh, no, thank you. I 
don't want a holiday. I had three weeks in 
April. 

KOBIN. 

And you'll be having another three or four 
weeks quite soon — when I go away on my 
honeymoon. 



102 A SINGLE MAN 

Miss Heseltine. 
I shall have left before that. 

Robin, 
I had no idea you were dissatisfied. [Miss 
Heseltine makes a restless, ne7'vous ■move'ment.~\ 
If it's a question of earning more money — I shall 
be very happy to meet you in any way I can. 

Miss Heseltine. 
It's not that. Please don't think it's that. 
I'm more than satisfied with what you give me. 

Robin. 
Are you going to be married ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
\_Al7n0st angrily.'] Of course not ! 

[She turns away from him in her seat. 

Robin. 
Then what is it ? [ With a ring of genuine 
distress in his voice as he sits on the ottomam, at 
her feet] Why — why go away and leave me ? 

Miss Heseltine. 

[^Distressed hy his distress, is greatly agitated.] 
I must. I'm very sorry — but I imust! 

Robin. 
But I can't think what I shall do without you. 
I shan't be able to get on at all. I can hardly 



A SINGLE MAN 103 

imagine yet what it's going to be like here 
without you. I've never thought of you leav- 
ing me. You've been coming to me every day 
for such a long time — five years — it's a long 
time. [Miss Heseltine, unable to control her 
agitation^ rises. He rises almost at the same 
time as he says.'\ Don't decide yet — not just yet. 

Miss Heseltine. 

I can't stay. It's no use pretending I can. 
I can't ! I can't do it ! 

KOBIN. 

[Puzzled.] Are you afraid your position 
here is going to be made difficult after my 
marriage ? [A pause Jhr her to reply.] Is that 
it ? [Another jpause as before.] I don't see 
why it need be difficult. Maggie is very good 
about not disturbing me in my work hours. 
She won't interfere with you. [Making light 

of it.] If that's all it is • [Miss Heseltine 

hursts into tears. Robin is very mvAih dis- 
tressed to see her in tears and goes to her.] Miss 
Heseltine ! What's the matter ? I can't bear 
to see you like this. What is it ? Is it some- 
thing Pve done? Have I hurt you without 
knowing it ? [Putting his hands on her shoul- 
ders and turning her towards him.] Miss Hesel- 
tine ! Look at me ! — tell me ! why must you 
leave me ? 



104 ^ SINGLE MAN 

\He gently pulls her hands away from 
her face / she looks up at him ajpjpeal- 
ingly, unable to hide her love for him. 
He understands and stands looking at 
her transfixed. 

Maggie. 

\From the garden^ Robin ! What are you 
doing ? 

Dickie. 
{Also from the garden?^ Where is he ? 

Maggie. 

In here. \When their voices are heard^ 
EoBiN steps hack from Miss Heseltine. She 
makes am, undecided step or two as if she didnH 
know where to go, then hegins nervously gather- 
ing up the pages. Enter Maggie followed hy 
Dickie arid Bertha Sims, all darting about 
and skipping. Maggie, speaking as she enters 
and coming towards Robin,] We want to wind 
up with something really silly before we go 
home. 

RoBiisr. 
{Protesting.'] Oh, no — my dears — no ! 

Dickie and Bertha. 
Yes, yes. 



A SINGLE MAN 10$ 

Bertha. 

\^Beg{nning to dance and sing "by herself?^ 
Here we go round the mulberry bush. 

Dickie. 
[Singing.] The mulberry bush. 

Maggie. 
[Joining m as well.] The mulberry bush ! 

[They all laugh. 

[ While this is going on Miss Hesel- 
TINE, with the jpages in her hand, slowly 
goes out. 

[Louise comes in from the garden. Tak- 
ing in the situation, she says, ^^ Mr. 
Worthington, too ! " a/nd seizing him 
hy hoth hands dances him round. He 
is then swept into the ring between 
Dickie and Maggie. Louise tries 
to enter the i'ing, first on Robin's left, 
in which attempt she fails, and then on 
his right, this time achieving success. 
They all laugh and dance in a ring as 
curtain falls. 



THE CURTAIN FALLS 



THE THIED ACT 

SCENE. — The same as the first act. The scene is 
arranged as before except that the cradle is 
no longer there. It is beginning to groiv 
dusk. Robin, dressed as at the end of the 
second act, is standing, with his hands in his 
pockets, staring at MisS Heseltine's desk. 

Robin. 

[Slowly and thoughtftdly., as if scai'cely able 
to credit what he sa/ys.'] Miss Heseltine ! 

[Louise enters. She wears an elaborate 
dinner gown. 

Louise. 
\In the doorwoAf^ May I come in ? 

Robin. 
{Suddenly brought to hi^nself.'] Is it as late 
as that f 

LOUISF. 

I dressed early. 1 mistook the time. The 
drawing-room was deserted, so I thought I'd 
come in here. I hope I don't intrude. 
1 06 



A SINGLE MAN 1 07 

EOBIN. 
[Merely politely.'] Not at all. 

Louise. 

[Smiling as if she had received a most press- 
ing invitation to stay.] Thank you ! [She 
closes the door and comes toicards RoBlN.] Has 
she gone ? 

KOBIN. 

Yes. 

Louise. 
[ With a little sigh of satisfaction.] Ah ! 

EOBIN. 

She took her work home to do. 

Louise. 

Maggie ? 

Robin. 

Miss Heseltine. Oh, yes ; those children 
have all gone. Thank goodness ! [Hurriedly 
correcting hiinself.] The dears. 

Louise. 
"Weren't you rather glad — between ourselves 
— to see them go ? 

Robin. 
I don't feel safe even yet. I can't help 
thinking that Bertha Sims is still lurking 



I08 A SINGLE MAN 

among the bushes — ready to spring out at me. 
"What's that noise ? \He goes to the window and 
looks out^ then closes the curtains.'] Only the 
rooks going home. 

\_IIe goes towards the electric switch. 

Louise. 

[Sentimentally.'] The twilight hour. [She 
leans hack luxuriously and says languidly.] 
How peaceful it is here ! How perfectly har- 
monious ! [Robin turns on the electric light. 
This surprises and disconcerts Louise.] Oh ! 
[She sits up. RoBiisr takes out his cigarette case 
and hel])s himself to a cigarette. He is ahsorhed 
in his own thoughts, and does not notice LouiSE.] 
Have you got a cigarette to give me f 

EOBIN. 

[Offering her his cigarette case.] I beg your 
pardon. My mind was full of something else. 

Louise. 

[Smiles at him as she slowly draws a cigarette 
from the case.] Thank you very much. 

Robin. 

[After a moment's pause.] Don't mention it. 
You want a light. 

[He moves away for the tnatch-hox, which 
is on the writing-table, hrings it to 



A SINGLE MAN I09 

LOTJISE and offers it to her. LouiSE 
smilingly makes a sign with her hands 
for him to strike a match. He does 
so. Louise does not offer to take the 
match, 'but lights her cigarette from it 
as he holds it. 

Louise. 



Ta! 



KOBIN. 

I beg your pardon ? 

Louise. 
Ta! [EoBiN lights his own cigarette then 
throws the match in an ash-tray and sits on 
a settee at some distance from Louise.] I 
hope you don't object to women smoking ? 

KOBIN. 

I don't mind one way or the other. 

Louise. 
I was afraid you might think it unwomanly. 

KOBITT. 

I shouldn't like my wife to smoke. 



no A SINGLE MAN 

Louise. 

[JSising.] I practically tiever smoke. [She 
puts her cigarette on an ash-tray. '] 

[Enter Gladys. 

Gladys. 

[Addressing Louise.] If you please, miss, 
Mrs. Worthington sent me to say will you 
kindly come and talk to her while she dresses ? 

Louise. 

[Siaeetly to Gladys.] Tell Mrs. Worthington 
I will come — presently. 

Gladys. 
Thank you, miss. [Exit Gladys. 

EOBIN. 

If you want to go and talk to Isabella, don't 
mind me. 

Louise. 
[Reproachfully.'] Do you want me to go ? 

RoBiisr. 
Oh, no — I didn't mean that — of course. 



A SINGLE MAN HI 

Louise. 
[Archly.] Shall I stay ? 

Robin. 
[After a pause, reluctantly.'] Do. 

Louise. 
I know you wouldn't say that unless you 
meant it. [She sits hy him.] You and I never 
seem to be left alone together — do we ? 

Robin. 
[Carelessly.] Don't we? 

Louise. 
Never. And I always feel we should have 
so much to say to each other if we could once 
break through our British reserve. _ [He looks 
at her in surprise. She smiles at him.] You 
have drawn me to you by your writmgs. I am 
one of your most devoted readers. I buy all 
your books. Oftentimes — after reading one or 
other of your various masterpieces — I have 
turned from the contemplation of Robin Worth- 
ington, the author, to the contemplation of 
Robin Worthington the man. 



Robin. 
[Embai'rassed.] Oh, yes ! 



[Enter Gladys. 



112 a single man 

Gladys. 

[AddresstTig Louise.] Mrs. Worthington 
says will you please come at once. It's most 
partickler. 

KOBIN. 

[AtteTTipting to rise.] Don't let me detain 
you. 

Louise. 
{^Preventing Robin rising hy laying her hand 
on his arm, as she turns to Gladys and says 
impatiently .~] Say I am coming — presently. 

Gladys. 
Yes, miss. [Exit Gladys. 

Louise. 
{^Intensely.'] I want to see you take your 
place among the immortals. You could if you 
would. But you never will — until you have 
the right woman beside you — a woman of 
heart, brain, experience— a woman who has 
lived and suffered — one who would help you in 
your work, who would be capable of being at 
the same time your companion and your inspira- 
tion. [She drops her intense tone and says, col- 
loquially.'] Maggie Cottrell can't appreciate 
you. 



A SINGLE MAN 113 

KOBIN. 
{^Rising abruptly^ and annoyed.'] "We won't 
discuss her, please. 

Louise. 
[^Reproachfully.'] You are angry with me. 

Robin. 
[Turning to her.] No, I'm not angry, 
but 

Louise. 
[Interrupting him hy rising and saying 
frankly.] Forgive me ! [She conws to him 
and extends hath her hands. Robin reluctantly 
takes her hands.] 

[Enter Gladys. 

Gladys. 
Mrs. "Worthington says 

Louise. 
[Losing her temper ?\ Tell her I'm husy. 
[Exit Gladys. Louise planis 'herself in front 
of Robin aiid looks earnestly in his face.] You 
do forgive me ? 

Robin. 
[Bored.] Oh — yes, of course. 

Louise. 

Yes, but really. 



114 A SINGLE MAN- 

KOBIN. 

I must go and dress. 

\^IIe tries to get past her. 

Louise. 

[Planting herself in front of him.'] I ought 
not to have spoken as I did of Maggie Cottrell 
— but I can't bear to see you throwing your- 
self away. 

KOBIN. 

I shall be late. 

[He makes another attempt to get past her, 

Louise. 
[Preventing him getting away hy laying Iter 
hand on his arm.'] If only you were going to 
marry some woman worthy to be your wife ! 

Robin. 
[Trying to free himself] Yes, but I'm not 
— I mean I am. 

[Enter Isabella, carrying her gloves, 
and then Henry. Isabella wears a 
smart dinner-gown, and Henry his 
evening clothes. 

Isabella. 
[Sharply as she enters.] Louise ! I sent for 
you three times. 



A SINGLE MAN IIS 

Louise. 

[Sweetly as sJie goes towards Isabella.] I 
know you did, dear. Was it anything that 
mattered ? 

{They talk together, Isabella obviously 
chiding LouiSE. RoBiisr^'om* Henry 
after hechoning him. 

EOBIN. 

{Drawing Henry o^ide^ I'm so glad you 
came in. I was having such a time. 

Henry. 
What's happened ? 

Robin. 
I don't think I'm naturally the kind of fellow 
who thinks every woman is in love with him — 
but really — this afternoon ! It must be my 
lucky day. 

[Isabella comes towards Robin when 
she speaks, while Louise sits hy the 
fire. 

Isabella. 
Aren't you going to dress ? 

Robin. 
Yes, I'll go now. 

Isabella. 
The cab will be here in about ten minutes. 



Il6 A SINGLE MAN 

Robin. 

What cab ? 

Isabella. 
To take us to the Hendersons'. 

Robin. 

[Addressing Henry and Isabella m turns 
during the next speech.] Oh, dear me! yes. 
We promised to go and dine at the Hendersons' 
— didn't we? I'd forgotten all about it. I 
don't want to go a bit. I say, couldn't you 
three go without me ? 

Henry. 
I don't know, I'm sure. 

Isabella. 
What will Mrs. Henderson say ? 

Robin. 
Tell her I had to stay and work. You don't 
mind, do you ? I really need an evening to 
myself. I shall dine quietly in ray study, and 
go to bed early. [He takes his latch-key out of 
his pocket and gives it to Henry.] There's 
my latch-key. You don't mind, do you? 
Thanks so much ; it's awfully kind of you. 

[He goes out. 



A SINGLE MAN 1 17 

Isabella. 
How tiresome of him to back outl iTo 
Henry.] Have you got everything ? 

Henky. 
I think so. 

Isabella. 

Cigarettes ? 

Henry. 
[Feeling his hreastrpocket.] Yes. 

Isabella. 

Watch ? 

Henry. 
[Feeling his watch-pocket?)^ Yes. 

Isabella. 
Pocket-handkerchief ? 

Henry. 

Yes — [looks in sleeve and pocket] no. 

[Fxit Henry. 

Louise. 

[Pressing her hands to her temples, and calling 
out, as if in sudden pain.] Oh — oh ! 

Isabella. 
[Anxiously.] What's the matter ? 



Il8 A SINGLE MAN 

Louise. 
I've got such a splitting headache. It's as 
if some one were driving a nail right through 
my temple. 

Isabella. 

[^Coming towards IjO'UIQ^, much concerned.'] 
I'm so sorry. 

Louise. 
I can't possibly go to the Hendersons'. 

Isabella. 

[linmediately suspicious, she hacks away.] 
Louise ! 

Louise. 
You couldn't ask me to go to a dinner-party 
with my head in this state. 

Isabella. 
[Z>r^7y.] You'll feel better soon. 

Louise. 

Whenever I have a headache it always lasts 
all the evening. 

Isabella. 
We'll take some menthol with us. 

Louise. 
Think of driving in a closed cab ! 



A SINGLE MAN II9 

Isabella. 
"We'll have it open. 

Louise. 
That would blow our hair about. 

Isabella. 
"We'll take veils. 

Louise. 
It's no use, dear. I'm suffering too much ; I 
shouldn't enjoy myself. 

Isabella. 
[Mercilessly.'] I don't ask that you should 
enjoy yourself, I ask that you should come 
with us. 

Louise. 
I really must stay at home. 

Isabella. 
Very well, then — we'll all stay at home. 

[She sits down facing Louise. Louise 
looks poutingly at ISABELLA a mo- 
tnent hefore she sjpeaks. 

Louise. 
There's no dinner for you. 

Isabella. 
There's none for you^ either. 



120 A SINGLE MAN 

Louise. 
What is enough for one is generally enough 
for two — but it's not enough for four. 

Isabella. 
[Muttering.'] I thought so. 

Louise. 
I have no intention of dining with Mr. "Worth- 
ington. [jRisingr in her queenliest 7nanner.'\ I 
shall ask Mrs. Higson to serve me a snack in my 
room. 

Isabella. 
{Calmly^ hut firmly.'] I shall not go and 
leave you here, Louise. 

Louise. 
[Reproachfully.] You don't trust me. 

[Sits heside ISABELLA. 

Isabella. 

[In an i/ronicaUy affectionate tone.] Darling 
— you wrong me. I only meant — how could I 
sit through an elaborate dinner if I knew that 
my friend was suffering alone in her chamber ? 

Louise. 
That's very sweet of you. But think of poor 



A SINGLE MAN 121 

Mr. and Mrs. Henderson. They will be so dis- 
appointed if you don't go. 

Isabella. 
[^Amiably.'] Henry must make my excuses. 

Louise. 
But if three out of four of their guests don't 
turn up ! 

Isabella. 

[Assuming gaiety and friendlitiess.'] They 
won't think much of themselves, will they ? 
[Louise looks away^ looking cross.'] You and 
I will have a nice little mess of something all 
by ourselves upstairs. It'll be just like the dear 
old schooldays, when we used to have forbidden 
feasts in our bedrooms. [She drops the gay and 
friendly tone, and says, drily.] Is your head 
any better ? 

Louise. 

[Seeing that her present line is hopeless, takes 
a new one, and says soletnnly.'] Isabella — Belle 
dear, I didn't tell you. I have made up my 
mind to leave to-morrow. 

Isabella. 

[ Unable to conceal her delight.'] Not really ! 



122 a single man 

Louise. 

[^Pained.'] I know you wish it. 

Isabella. 
{^Politely.'] Not on my own account. 

Louise. 
As I am leaving to-morrow, I should like to 
stay at home this evening. 

Isabella. 
[Suspiciously.'] To say good-bye to Kobin ? 

Louise. 
\_Coldly.'] To pack. 

Isabella. 
[Eagerly.'] Pll help you with your packing. 

Louise. 

Thank you, dear; but I never can pack if 
there's any one in the room. 

Isabella. 
I'll sit on the landing and be ready when 
you want me. 

Louise. 

[Losing he7' tem,per cmd rising abruptly^ 
Don't be such a fool. 



A SINGLE MAN 1^3 

Isabella. 
You needn't think I don't see through you. 

Louise. 
What d'you mean ? 

Isabella. 
I don't believe you have the slightest inten- 
tion of leaving to-morrow. 

Louise. 
Do you think I'm a liar ? 

Isabella. 
\^Cheerfully.'\ Yes. 

Louise. 
How dare you say such a thing ? 

Isabella. 
As if I don't know what you are up to. 

Louise. 
IDefiantly.-] What am I up to— as you 
term it ? 

Isabella. 
Do you want me to tell you ? 

Louise. 
[Haughtily.'l Certainly. 



124 A SINGLE MAN 

Isabella. 
As soon as Henry and I have left the house 
you'll rush upstairs and put on a tea-gown — 
the white one most likely, with the angel- 
sleeves — and then — when you have calculated 
that Robin will just about have begun his dinner 
— you'll come floating in. You won't have had 
any dinner. He'll feel obliged to ask you to 
share his. You'll refuse at first — if you think 
you stand any chance of being pressed — then 
you'll sit down. You will begin the conversa- 
tion by telling him that Maggie doesn't appre- 
ciate him. That I believe is the usual opening 
with those who attempt to make discord between 
lovers 

Louise. 
{^Exploding with wrathJ] Isabella, you're a 
beast. 

Isabella. 

[ With great determination.'] You shan't stay 
here alone with Robin because I won't allow it. 

Louise. 
\_Changing her tactics., turns to Isabella 
and says calmly and seriously^ He asked me 
to remain. 

Isabella. 
[StariTig at Louise in amasement.'] He asked 
you. . . . 



A SINGLE MAN I25 

Louise. 
[Going a little towards Isabella.] Not in 
so many words — but saying he wants to be left 
alone is an invitation to me to stay. 

Isabella. 
[Bursting out laughirig.] Louise ! 

Louise. 
I know it. While you were upstairs dress- 
ing we had the most wonderful talk. 

Isabella. 
[Immediately sobered.'] What about ? 

Louise. 
It was not so much what we said as what we 
left unsaid. When you sent for me I asked 
him if he wished me to leave him, and he said 
"ISTo." He begged me to remain. He was 
longing to confide in me. I felt it. He knows 
he has made a mistake. He was just on the 
point of admitting to me that Maggie Cottrell 
is not the girl for him to marry — when you 
came into the room. 

Isabella. 
[Hardly hnowing whether to helieve Louise 
or not.] I think it must be yaur imagination. 



126 A SINGLE MAN 

Louise. 
Tou are responsible for what has happened. 
You invited me here. You encouraged me to 
fall in love with him. 

Isabella. 
There's no harm done, because you are not in 
love with him, 

Louise, 
I soon could be. [Isabella turns away.'] 
Please let me stay behind. 

Isabella. 
[ With determination.] No. 

Louise. 

[^Falling on her knees i/n despair and grasp- 
ing Isabella hy the hand.] Isabella! Isa- 
bella ! It's a crisis. 

Isabella. 

[ Ve7y uneasy 7\ Louise ! Louise ! Suppose 
somebody comes in ! \8he wrenches her hand 
away. Louise sinks upon the ground.] 

[Enter Mes. HiGSON who has a white 
linen table-cloth folded over her arm, 
and a small tray-cloth. 

Mes. Higson. 
The cab's here, ma'am. 



A SINGLE MAN 12/ 

Isabella. 
Thank you, Mrs. Higson. [Mrs. Higson 

lays the cloth down and begins to gather the 
articles together on the writing -tahle. Isabella 
is very firm as she addresses Louise.] Are you 
ready ? 

[Louise rises slowly and tragically from 
the ground. Isabella pidls her up 
to her feet. LouiSE slaps her as she 
releases herself. Isabella goes to the 
door, pauses, turns to Louise, and 
heckons her, as she says " Louise ! " 
She waits till she sees Louise begin to 
follow her, then goes out. LouiSB 
pauses at the door, then hastily closes 
it and turns to Mrs. HiGSON. 

Louise. 
By the way, Mrs. Higson, I may arrive home 
a little in advance of the others. 

Mrs. Higson. 
{Stiffly.'] Indeed ! 

Louise. 
In case you should want to go to bed early — 
[smiles at Mrs. Higson in her most ingratia- 
ting manner as she comes towards her] is there 
an extra latch-key ? 



128 A SINGLE MAN 

Mks. Higson. 
[Mistrustfully.^ Oh, no, miss — we've got no 
extra latch-keys. 

Louise. 
Oh ! [Pauses.'] You needn't tell anybody I 
asked you for one. 

[Mrs. Higson mahes no response, hut 
busies herself with the things on Rob- 
in's desk. While she is doing this 
Louise fumbles in her hag and takes 
out a ten-shilling piece. Louise offers 
Mes. Higson the ten-shilling piece 
with her sweetest smile. 

Mrs. Higson. 

[Not offering to take it.] Thank you, miss — 
it will do when you leave. 

Louise. 

Oh ! [She puts the ten-shilling piece in her 
hag, then goes to the door, where she pauses.] 
You needn't tell anybody I offered it to you. 

[Exit Louise. Mrs. Higson ironically 
kisses her hand after Louise, then un- 
folds the small table-cloth, and la/ys it 
on Miss Heseltine's desk. 
[Enter Gladys omth a tra/y containing 
the glass and silver, etc., necessary for 
Robin's dinner. 



a single man 1 29 

Gladys. 
They're oflf, I think they must be late. 

Mes. Higson. 
What makes you say that ? Mr. Burgess is 
never late with his cab. 

Gladys. 
I only thought they might be because Mrs. 
Worthington was that impatient — wouldn't get 
into the keb without Miss Parker got in first. 
Looked as if there'd 'ave bin words if Captain 
Worthington 'adn't pushed 'em both in from 
be'ind. 

Mes. Higson. 

'Elp me lay this cloth. \_They lay the cloth 

together as she continues.'] I'm sure I don't 

wonder he wants to dine quietly in his study 

after all the racket there's been this afternoon. 

Gladys. 
\^G7'inning.'\ They were play in' 'ide-an'-go- 
seek. 

Mes. Higson. 

[^Contemptuously., as she smooths the cloth.'] 
'Ide-an'-go-seek ! What it's going to be like 
here after 'e's married, I can't think. Pande- 
monium, / should say, with dirt on all the car- 
pets. 



I50 A SINGLE MAN 

Gladys. 
I shan't mind the extra work if it makes 
things 'um a bit more. 

Mrs. Higson. 
Careful with that silver. 

Gladys. 
Cook and I was only saying this afternoon it 
was quite refreshing to look out upon somethin' 
besides lawns and flowers and green trees. 

Mrs. Higson. 
You won't welcome changes so much when 
you reach my age. And it's not as if 
you'd known Mr. Worthington the years / 
'ave. And per'aps you 'aven't got the maternal 
instinct. 

Gladys. 
\Pr^mly^^ No, I 'aven't — an' I 'ope I won't 
'ave before I get my marriage lines. 

Mrs. Higson. 
I think that's everything now. 

[Enter Robin, ffe wears a dinner- 
jacket and a hlack tie. 



A SINGLE MA AT 131 

KOBIN. 

[Speaking as he enters.] I'll have my dinner 
as soon as it's ready. 

[He takes a hook from, the hookshelves. 



Mrs. Higson. 
Gladys ! Tell cook. [Exit Gladys. 

[The front door hell rings. RoBiN 
pauses and listens. 

Robin. 
Who's that ? 

Mrs. Higson. 
Post most likely. What will you take to 
drink, sir? 

Robin. 
I think I could do with some champagne. 

Mrs. Higson. 
Yes, sir. 

Robin. 
A small bottle. 



132 A SINGLE MAN 

Mes. Higson. 
Yes, sir. 

[Exit Mes. Higson. Kobin settles him- 
self to read. Gladys comes in carry- 
ing a roll of tyjyewritten manuscript. 

Gladys. 

If you please, sir — with Miss 'Eseltine's com- 
pliments. \8he Ju.lds out the roll to RoBiN. 

Robin. 
[TaTcvng if] Is Miss Heseltine here ? 

Gladys. 



Just gorn, sir. 



Run after her. 



Robin. 



Gladys. 
Yes, sir. \_8he hurries to the door. 

Robin. 
No, don't. 

Gladys. 

No, sir. 

[Exit Gladys. Robin spends a moment 
or two in indecision, looks at the roll 
of manuscript, leaves it on the settee, 
rises, crosses to Miss Heseltine's 



A SINGLE MAN 1 33 

desk and lays his hook upon it / then 
he goes to tlie windoio, and draws the 
hack curtain. He opens the window 
and looks out. 

KOBIN. 

{^Calling — not loudly.'] Miss Heseltine ! 

[After a moment or two Miss Heseltine 
appears at the window. She wears a 
l^ng, loose, ready-made coat, a cheap, 
ordinary-looking hat, and makes, alto- 
gether, a somewhat dowdy appearance. 

Miss Heseltine. 
[ Coming just inside the room.] Did you wish 
to speak to me ? 

\_They are hoth emharrassed and con- 
strained when they meet. Miss Hesel- 
tine's manner is extremely prim, to 
cover her nervousness. 

EOBIN. 

[Referring to the roll of manuscript in his 
hand, which he takes from the settee.'] What's 
this thing ? 

Miss Heseltine. 

The American article. I thought you might 
like to look it over before it goes. 

Robin. 
Why didn't you bring it in ? 



134 ^ SINGLE MAN 

Miss Heseltine. 
I didn't wish to disturb you. 

KOBIN. 

I see — thank you — well [^Looking at 

Miss Heseltine.] You know if it's all right. 

Miss Heseltine. 
I can guarantee there are no mistakes in it 
now. 

EOBIN. 

[Giving her the roll of manuscriptl Let it 
go then. 

Miss Heseltine. 
I'll take it home and put it up for post. 

[S/ie is going. 

Robin. 
You might as well do that here — at your 
desk. 

Miss Heseltine. 
{Hesitating a Tnoment, she glances at him,^ a/nd 
then says?)^ Very well — as I'm here. {Coming 
to her desTc^ It won't take me but a few 
minutes. 

\She sits at her desTc, opens a drawer and 
takes out a large envelojpe in which she 
jplaces the American article. She does 



A SINGLE MAN 135 

this with a good deal of fumbling and 
fluttering of paj>ers, owing to her nerv- 
ousness. 

KOBIN. 

You must have worked very hard to get that 
ready. 

Miss Heseltine. 
[ Without looking iip.] It all had to be re- 
written. 

liOBIN. 

I hope you haven't gone without your dinner. 
[Miss Heseltine hegins to address the envelope, 
apparently not having heard his last remark.^ 
You have dined — haven't you ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
[Still addressing the envelope and not looking 
up?[ IS ot yet. 

KOBIN. 

Are you going to have some dinner nov3 f 

Miss Heseltine. 
I shan't have time. I'm due at an evening 
party. 

KOBIN. 

A dinner party ? 



136 a single man 

Miss Heseltine. 
Oh, no — only games. 

Robin. 
You won't get any dinner. 

Miss Heseltine. 

There'll be light refreshments handed round 
most likely. 

\8he stamps the envelope. 

Robin. 

[A little emharrassed and shy at giving the 
invitation.'] Look here ! I'm having a bit of 
beefsteak by myself, and Mrs. Higson is so con- 
vinced I don't eat enough, she always gives me 
twice as much as I can manage. Won't you 
stay and share it with me ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
\^QuicTdy and nervously as she rises.] Oh, 
no, thank you — I can't do that. 

Robin. 
You'd much better. You can go to the even- 
ing party afterwards. 

Miss Heseltine. 
Quite impossible. Thank you all the same. 
[She goes towards the window. 



A SINGLE MAN 137 

KOBIN. 
[Going after her.] I shall be wretchedly 
lonely all by myself. [Miss Heseltine pauses 
cmd looks at M7n.'\ You'd be doing me a kind- 
ness if you'd stay. 

Miss Heseltine. 
I don't think I'd better. 

KoBiisr. 

You won't enjoy your party if you don't eat 
something first. 

Miss Heseltine. 
I'm not expecting to enjoy it much, anyhow. 

EOBIN. 

/ shan't enjoy my steak if you go hungry to 
your party. 

Miss Heseltine. 
Won't you ? 

EOBIN. 

[^Trying to make her sorry for Mm.] No. 
[A pause.] Nor my tomatoes. 

Miss Heseltine. 
EeaUy? 



138 A SINGLE MAN 

KOBIN. 

Really. 

Miss Heseltine. 
Then I'll stay — ^just a very few moments. 

Robin. 
[Smiling.'] That's right. [He draws the cur- 
tain over the window. Enter Mrs. Higson 
with a dish containing a steak and tomatoes. 
Robin speaks as Mrs. Higsojst enters.] Set a 
place for Miss Heseltine, She's going to have 
some dinner with me. 

Mrs. Higson. 
Yes, sir. [Mrs. Higson neither shoios nor 
feels any surprise when she hears that Mis 8 
Heseltine is going to dine with Robin.] 
We'd better cook you something extra, sir. 

Robin. 
I expect there's enough here. \_He raises the 
dish cover to see.] Oh, yes, quite. 

Miss Heseltine. 
I don't think I can stay — really ! 

Robin. 
Oh, yes, you can! \_To Mrs. Higson.] A 
place for Miss Heseltine. 



a single man 1 39 

Mrs. Higson. 
Yes, sir. 

[^Exit Mrs. Higson. 

EOBIN. 

[Smilmg at the dish and tahing a long sniff.'] 
Smells good — doesn't it ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
[Glancing longingly at the dish.] Delicious ! 
But what about this ? [She holds up the envel- 
ope in her hand.^ I think I'd better take it to 
the post. I could slip it in the letter-box on 
my way to the party. 

EOBIN. 

\_TaMng the envelope out of her hand.] I'll 
send somebody with that. yHe throws the en- 
velope down.] Won't you take your things off ? 
[He brings a chair to the table. When he has 
done this, he stands with his hands on the hack 
of the chair., watching Miss Heseltine tahe 
her things off. MisS Heseltuste takes off her 
hat. Her hair is prettily arranged, quite differ' 
ent from the xisual plain style in which she 
wears it. She next takes off her coat and places 
it on the chair with her hat. When she has 
taken off her coat she appears in a pretty, hut 
simple and modest evening dress, in which she 
looks altogether charming. RoBiisr cannot con- 
ceal his pleasure in her unexpected appearance.] 



140 A SINGLE MAN 

I've never seen you in an evening dress before. 
\Enter Mrs. Higsoist with tJie extra glasses^ 
jplates^ knives^ forks, etc., etc., necessary for Miss 
Heseltine, a small bottle of chatrijpagne and a 
cork-screw. Robin opens the bottle ofchanvpagne 
indicating the envelope containing the Atnerican 
article as he says to Mrs. Higson.] Will you 
have that thing sent to the post at once ? 

Mes. Higson. 
Yes, sir. [Picks up the envelope. 

Miss Heseltine. 
[Murmuring, halffascinated and half- 
alarmed.'] Champagne ! 

Robin. 
Now then, Miss Heseltine, are you ready ? 
[Robin sits behind the table. Miss Heseltine 
sits at the end of it. RoBiN speaks next as Mrs. 
HiGSON takes off the dish-cover.] I told you 
she always gives me much more than I can 
eat. 

[Smiles at Mrs. Higson, who smilingly 
goes off with the dish-cover and the 
envelope. 

Miss Heseltine. 
I only want a very little corner. 

Robin. 
[Cutting apiece off the steak.] Like that ? 



A SINGLE MAN I41 

Miss Heseltine. 
It's too much ! 

Robin. 
Nonsense ! Tomato ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
Yes, please. {He serves her.] Thank ^ou ! 
[Then he helps hiTnself. 

Robin. 
I hope you won't find it too underdone. 

Miss Heseltine. 
Oh, no, thank you ; I prefer it underdone. 

Robin. 
How fortunate we both like our meat cooked 
the same way. [Robin offers to pour some 
champagne into Miss Heseltine's glass.] 
May I give you some champagne ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
{In a flurry., not dbls to make up her mind 
whether to accept champagne or not] Oh — I 
don't know — no, I don't think so, thank you. 

Robin. 
Just a drop. [He pours it out. 

Miss Heseltine. 
Is it nice ? 



142 A SINGLE MAN 

EOBIN. 

[^Filling his own glass.'] You know what it's 
Uke. 

Miss Heseltine. 
No, I don't. I never tasted it. 

EoBiisr. 
[Surprised.'] Never tasted champagne ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
No. 

KOBIN. 

How's that ? 

Miss Heseltine. 

Quite a lot of people have never tasted 
champagne. 

EOBIN. 

Think of that, now, [He takes a good long 
drink. Miss Heseltine watches him with 
curiosity^ then raises her own glass to her lij)s, 
frowning as she takes a little sip. RoBiN 
watches her with an amused smile till she takes 
the glass away from her lips.] Do you like it ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
[Her frown relaxing slowly into a beaming 
smile.] Yes. 



A S/NGLE MA AT 1 43 

[J^rom here on she hecomes much more at 
home and quite natural amd easy in 
her manner. 

Robin. 
{Eating?^ I begin to feel better now. I 
was nearly dead after those children had gone 
home. 

Miss Heseltine. 
{Also eating^ I'm not surprised. 

Robin. 
[Smiling.] I adore their youth and their 
vigour ; the movements of their strong straight 
limbs ; their shouts and their bright, pretty 
faces. Enchanting ! [ With a sigh.] But it's 
no use trying to be one of them after forty. 

Miss Heseltine. 
It's a change to be dining like this. 

Robin. 

Such a picnic. 

Miss Heseltine. 
I mean, it's a change from high tea. 

Robin. 
[Smiling at her.] How different you look 
this evening ! 



144 ^ single man 

Miss Heseltine. 
It's because I'm dressed up. You^'oe always 
seen me in workaday. 

Robin. 
Tour hair looks so pretty. I never noticed 
before that your hair was so pretty. 

Miss Heseltine. 
\Pleased^^ My hair is my best feature. 

EOBIN. 

Do you often go to parties ? 

Miss Heseltine. 

Oh, no — very seldom. I have such a limited 
circle of acquaintances in Farnham. I don't 
get much chance of meeting people, for one 
thing ; and, living alone, the way I do, I need 
to be cautious. It's very easy to find oneself 
swallowed up in the wrong set before one 
knows it. 

Robin. 

[ With deep meaning^ thinking of the Cottrells.'] 
Very ! I suppose you'll go to plenty of parties 
when you live in London. 

Miss Heseltine. 
I don't expect to. I've lived there before, 
you know. I find London much more dead 
and alive than Farnham. 



A SINGLE MAN I45 

Robin. 
\Ama2edJ\ London dead and alive ! 

Miss Heseltine. 
Yes. 

EOBIN. 

/left because it's so noisy. 

Miss Heseltine. 
You had your friends and your telephone. I 
only had a bed-sitting room. I scarcely ever 
went out with any one except my landlady, and 
not very often with her. We occasionally did 
a pit if we felt flush. 

Robin. 
[Sympathetically.'] Is that the kind of life 
you have to look forward to now ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
[Simply.'] Yes. 

Robin. 
You've lived by yourself a long time ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
Ever since father married again. 

Robin. 
[Gloomily.] When Ptti married, I suppose 
there'll be jolly tennis parties and gaietj'' and 



J 46 A SINGLE MAN 

fun every day of the week. {Tie looks at her.'] 
I wonder what is to become of me and my work 
when you go ? 

Miss Heseltine, 
[Troubled.'] I don't believe I could stay on. 

[/She sits back. 

KOBIN. 

[Wervously.] No. 

Miss Heseltine. 
It wouldn't do. 

Robin. 

No. [S'e lays Ms knife and fork together^ 
mid assumes a businesslike manner ^^ Have 
you finished ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
Yes, thank you. 

[She lays her knife and fork together. 

Robin. 

I don't think we need ring the bell. Pll 
change the plates. [He rises to do so. 

Miss Heseltine. 
[Rising and sjpeaking as if she were asking 
him a favour?^ Let me. 



A SINGLE MAN 147 

Robin. 
Oh, no ; I'll do it. 

Miss Heseltine. 
I should like to. Please sit down and let me 
— let me wait upon you. 

Robin, 
[Biimotiring her.] Very well. [He sits. 

Miss Heseltine. 
• [Taking his jjkite as she says, smiling.] " It 
was Sunday evening, and both the servants had 
gone to church ; so, as their custom was on these 
occasions, they waited on themselves." 

Robin. 

What's that ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
A quotation out of one of your books. 

Robin. 
Which one ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
It never had a name. You began it about 
four years ago, and tore it up after the second 
chapter. 

Robin. 
What a memory you have ! 



148 a single man 

Miss Heseltine. 
Yes, for some things. 

[ While this conversation is going on 
Miss Heseltine changes the dishes 
andjplates. 

KOBIN. 

It doesn't seem right for me to be sitting 
here while you do the waiting. 

Miss Heseltine. 
It pleases me. 

KOBIN. 

I never thought of waiting at table being a 
pleasure. 

Miss Heseltine. 
{^Standing near hiin with a dish in her hands.'] 
It is, if you know how to dream. 

KOBIN. 

\_^ot confijprehending — echoes^ To dream ! 

Miss Heseltine. 
More than half a woman's life is made of 
dreams. She couldn't bear it otherwise. 

\She places the dish on the table. 

EOBIN. 

"What's the good of a dream ? 



a single man i49 

Miss Heseltine. 
[ With suppressed exaltation.^ Sometimes it 
grows so vivid it almost seems to have come 
true. [She gives a low-toned little laugh as she 
looks towards her desk. RoBiN looks at her and 
follows the direction of her eyes.'] That's my 
desk that I work at — our sideboard is. [She 
goes to her desk. Robin watcJies her^ smiling. 
She carries the dish of fruit and two plates to 
the table, and places them in front of him.] I 
shall never be able to believe this really hap- 
pened afterwards. [She returns to her place as 
she says.] I expect I shall be trying to remem- 
ber what story it was, where we dined together. 
Whenever you dictate a novel to me I always 
imagine that I'm the heroine. 

Robin. 
[Offervng to refill her glass.] Let me give 
you some more champagne ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
[Putting her hand over her glass.] No, thank 
you. [Gravely.] They tell me it makes one 
chatter. 

Robin. 
Please chatter. I want to know more about 

you — [handing her fruit] what you think, what 
you feel, what you are like, what you do with 



I50 A SINGLE MAN 

yourself when you are away from me. Though 
I've known you so well for — how long is it ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
\_Prowptly.'\ Five years last first of June. 

Robin. 
And how many hours in all that time have we 
spent alone in this room together ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
{Joyfully.'] So many we couldn't possibly 
count them up. 

Robin. 
And yet, after all that, I am only just be- 
ginning to get to know you. Why did you 
never tell me about yourself ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
You never asked, 

Robin. 
I wonder why. 

Miss Heseltine. 
You were always working. 

Robin. 

{After a 7fioment''s reflection?^ What a lot of 
time one wastes attending to one's work. \TJiey 



A SINGLE MAN 151 

go on eating before RoBiisr saysJ] I suppose 
I'm always thinlfing about myself and my own 
things. 

Miss Heseltine. 
\_Kindly.'\ That's only because you are a 
man. [He laughs. She heconies a little con- 
fused.'] Though I'm sure I don't know why I 
should be talking as if I knew all about it. I've 
never known any man well with the exception 
of you and father. 

Robin. 
"Will you tell me about your father ? 

[lie takes a cigarette-case from his poclcet. 

Miss Heseltine. 
I'd rather not. I was very unhappy at home 
— and to-night I want to forget all painful 
things. I am weaving a wonderful memory for 
the lonely evenings to come. [Robin sighs.'\ 
You want a light for your cigarette. Wait 
there, I'll get you one. 

[Miss Heseltine goes to the mantel- 
piece for a match., vjhich she strikes^ 
then holds while he lights his cigarette. 
Robin offers her his cigarette-case. 

Robin. 
Will you have a cigarette ? 



152 a single man 

Miss Heseltine. 
{Primly?^ Oh, no, thank you — I don't think 
I'll go as far as that. 

\8he returns to her ;place at the table. 

KOBIN. 

\A.fter a pause.] How restful you are ! 

Miss Heseltine. 
"Will you always think of me so ? I should 
like you to think of me, after I'm gone, a little 
differently from anybody else. 

Robin. 
I can promise you that. [He smokes in 
silence a irnoment before he sa/i/s gloomily.] It 
gets worse and worse the more I think of it. 

Miss Heseltine. 
What does ? 

Robin. 
Your going away. I don't see how we shall 
ever get through when it comes to the last day 
— our last morning's work. It's so sad doing 
anything the last time if it's something one has 
done regularly every day for a long time. 

Miss Heseltine. 
I remember when I left home — the last Sun- 
day evening we sang a hymn. We always sang 



A SINGLE MAN 153 

a hymn on Sunday evening — the same hymn, 
I was so sick of it. I used to have to play the 
tune. I thought I should be so glad never to 
have to do it any more ; but when it came to 
doing it the last time, I couldn't see the notes. 
I couldn't see the words, I couldn't see the 
others — I was crying so. 

KOBIN. 

I shan't know what has become of you. You 
might be unhappy or badly off, for all that 
/ shall know. 

Miss Heseltine. 
I might write perhaps — now and again. 

Robin. 
l^Sadly.'] Letters ! Once a w^eek, once a 
month, two or three times a year. I shall 
want to see you every day. 

Miss Heseltine. 
I shall want to see you, too. 

{They look at each other steadily for some 
time before he speaks. 

Robin. 
You look as you looked this afternoon. It's 
a wonderful look. I have never seen it in a 
woman's eyes before. [He jpulls himself to- 



154 A SINGLE MAN 

g ether ^ disgusted with himself.'] I'm ashamed — 
I'm ashamed to have said that. 

[He rises from the table. 

Miss Heseltine. 
[Also risen — very gently and kindly.] Don't 
be ashamed. I'm glad you know I love you. 
[Robin turns and looks at her.] You've taken 
it so kindly, I feel as if a great load had been 
lifted off my heart. I've been set free — after 
years of oppression. The pain it has been to 
keep my secret all to myself. Like a child, I 
had no right to, I hugged it and hid it — fearful 
lest some one should discover it, and I should 
be disgraced. And now you — of all people — 
have found me out, and I'm not humiliated — 
I'm happy. Though I know that to-morrow is 
coming, to-night I can only feel — how good it 
is for me that you should know. 

EOBIN. 

[Slowly, quietly, and impressively.] It seems 
to me now as if I had always known. So si- 
lently and steadily your influence has grown, it 
possessed me unawares. [Speaking with siidden.^ 
passionate energy?)^ I've made a dreadful 
blunder. I'm terrified of my future. I can't 
face it ! [Miss Heseltine sits on the settee. 
He moves about as he speaks rapidly and ex- 
citedly^ I was content the way we went on 



A SINGLE MAN 155 

till Henry and Isabella came. It was seeing 
them — their happiness, their affection, their 
kisses, and caresses. I determined to marry 
and be happy, as they are. I looked about me 
for a wife, thought of all the girls I knew — all 
except one. You were so near at hand, and 
I was looking out into the world. I was 
caught and carried away by the snares of the 
charm of youth. I only see yoti in my work- 
time — always quiet, always patient, always 
ready, and never exacting. I took all that as 
a matter of course — sellishly accepted it. How 
dull of me never to have thought — what won- 
derful qualities those in a woman ! {Speaking 
like a lovei\ as he sits on the settee heside her.~\ 
I have never seen you as you are to-night. 
[Miss Heseltijste rises slowly and steps hack 
from him ^ fascinated, hut afraid. He goes on 
passionately.'] I ought to be holding my 
tongue, stifling my heart as you did yours ; but 
to-night I can't any more than you can, I 
canH marry Maggie ; it's not possible. She's 
dear, she's sweet, she's lovely ; but she's a 
child. She knows nothing, feels nothing, un- 
derstands nothing. She has no soul, and very 
little heart. If I marry Maggie, I shall be 
finished, destroyed, done for. And now — now 
that I know that I love you and that you love 
me ! \Helplessly^ "What are we to do ? 

\T1iey stand looking hel/plessly at each 



156 A SINGLE MAN 

other y thsn hy a mutual instinct go 
towards each othei\ and fall into each 
other''s arms. They remain some 
monfients locked in a close embrace. 
The curtains over the windows are 
jparted. Louise is there. She has 
time to stand and take in the situation 
hefore they discover her presence. 
Louise advances i/nto the room^ then 
moves slowly and haughtily to the 
door., observing the dinner-tahle as she 
passes it. KoBiisr and Miss Hesel- 
TINE watch her, dxunhfounded. Lou- 
ise goes out. Miss Heseltine turns 
and looks at RoBUN", then covers her 
face with her hands. 



THE CUETAIN COMES SLOWLY DOWN 



THE FOUETH ACT 

SCENE. — Kobin's study again. It is ten o'clock 
in the morning on the day after the events 
of the last two acts. RoBIN is seated at his 
writing-table, his head on his hands. Enter 
Lady Cotteell. Robin rises when she 
enters. 

Lady Cotteell. 
My husband has had a note from you asking 
him to come and see you — so I came. 

Robin. 

[ Worried.'] Oh, but I want most particularly 
to see Sir Richard. That's why I asked him 
to call on tne instead of going to call on him 
because — well, you know what it's like at your 
house. There's no privacy. Dickie or Maggie 
or one of the others is apt to burst into the 
room at any moment. I must see Sir Richard 
undisturbed. It's most important. I think I'll 
run over and see him now — if you'll excuse me. 
l^He picks up a newspaper and thrusts it into 
Lady Cotteell's hands.'] There's the paper. 
I'll send Isabella to you to keep you company. 

[Exit Robin, quickly. 

157 



158 A SINGLE MAN 

Lady Cottkell. 
\LooMng after Robin in surprise.'] Odd ! 
[Isabella enters followed hy Henry. 

Isabella. 
[Sjyeaking as she enters.] Good-morning, 
Lady Cottrell. 

Lady Cottrell. 

\^Nods unceremoniously to them hoth witJwiit 
risitig or offering to shake hands.] Good-morn- 
ing, good-morning. What's the matter ? 

Isabella. 
Nothing. 

Henry. 

Why ? 

Lady Cottrell. 

[^To Henry.] I thought from your brother's 
strange manner that something must have hap- 
pened since I saw you yesterday. 

Henry. 
[Loohing at Isabella.] Not that I know of. 

Isabella. 
Nothing unusual. 

Henry. 

We dined at the Hendersons' last evening. 



A SINGLE MAN 1 59 

Lady Cotteell. 
Nothing else ? 

Isabella. 
\Lo6king at Henry.] No. 

Henry. 
Miss Parker had a headache and left the 
party early. When we got home she had gone 
to bed ; so we went to bed, too — and — that's 
about all. We got up and had breakfast as 
usual this morning. 

Lady Cotteell. 
Nothing of any im/portance. 

Isabella. 

[Seriously.'] Baby was rather fretful in the 
night. 

Lady Cottrell. 
[Contemjytuously.'] You won't call that im- 
portant when you've got fourteen. 

[Enter Louise. She entei's quichly, and 
with such an air of having something 
im/portant to tell that she attracts all 
their attention. They watch her as she 
closes the door and comes down among 
them. 



i6o A SINGLE MAN 

Louise. 
I waited till Mr. Worthington went out. 
There is something I think you all ought to 
know. Sit down. 

\Sh6 pushes Isabella into a chair and 
waves the others to their seats. 



Lady Cottkell. 
I knew there was something. 

[They watch LouiSE expectantly. 

Louise. 
Last night, when I left the Hendersons' [to 
Lady Cotteell] I came away before the 
others. I had a headache. \_To Isabella.] 
You remember. [Addressing them all.] I 
slipped away without a word, not wishing to 
make a fuss. I got my cloak and when I came 
out at their front door I was fortunate enough 
to find a cab. [To Isabella.] The one that 
brought that man who came after dinner. 
[Addressing them all.] I told the cabman to 
drive me to this gate, where I got out. [To 
Lady Cottrell.] It was such a fine moon- 
light night I thought I should like to walk 
up the drive. When I got near the house I 
heard sounds of revelry — [she looks round from 
one to the other expecting to make a great effect j 



A SINGLE MAN l6l 

tJiey watch her with unmoved faces during 
the whole of her recital] issuing from this 
Avinclow — sounds of revelry, [She looks roufid 
at them all again.] I naturally thought 
it rather strange, so I stopped outside 
the window and listened. I thought it might 
be the servants taking advantage of our 
absence. I^ot at all. I distinctly heard two 
voices — Mr. Worthington's and a woman's. 
[She looks from one to the other as hefo7'e 
exjpecting^ to make an effect — they all mom for- 
ward slightly.] I was just going to pass on 
when a little gust of wind blew the curtains 
apart. There was nothing for me to do then 
but to walk into the room. I hardly like to 
tell you what I saw — but I must. It's a duty. 
The table was all in disorder as if two people 
had been feasting together. I remember no- 
ticing a champagne bottle — empty. The next 
thing I saw was — Miss Heseltine — the type- 
writer — in an evening dress. She was in Mr. 
Worthington's arms. They were kissing each 
other. 

[She looks round at them all trium- 
phantly expecting to make a sensation. 
She apparently makes no effect of any 
kind. They sit still gravely for some 
moments hefore Lady Oottrell 
speaks. 



1 62 A SINGLE MAN 

Lady Cottrell. 
[ With perfect composure.'] I don't believe a 
word of it. 

Isabella. 
Nor do I. 

Henry. 
Nor I. 

Louise. 

[Annoyed at the reception of her story. 1 But 
I saw it. 

Lady Cottrell. • 

Dreamt it ! Robin and his typist — I no more 
believe it than if you'd told me you'd caught 
Captain Worthington there kissing me. 

Isabella. 
\_In disinay at the thought of such a thing.] 
Oh! 

Louise. 
If you don't believe me, ask the servants. 
They can tell you whether Miss Heseltine dined 
here or not. 

Lady Cottrell. 
Why shouldn't Miss Heseltine dine here? 
[To Henry.] Do yoit see any reason why she 
shouldn't? 



A SINGLE MAN 163 

Henry. 
No reason on earth. 

Lady Cottrell. 
[To Louise.] We none of us see any reason 
against it. 

Isabella. 
They probably had some business to discuss. 

Louise. 
They were drinking champagne. 

Henry. 
Why* shouldn't they drink champagne? 

Isabella. 
We drank it ourselves at the Hendersons'. 

Lady Cottrell. 
[To Henry and Isabella.] She seems to 
think it's immoral to drink champagne. 

Louise. 
The woman was decollete. 

Lady Cottrell. 
[To Louise.] Is it the fashion where you 
come from to dine high neck ? 

Louise. 
Oh! 



164 A SINGLE MAN 

Isabella. 
\_To Lady Cotteell.] I think Louise has 
gone mad. 

Heney. 
[^To Lady Cotteell, ow the other side.'] Try- 
ing to find a queer meaning to a most ordinary 
proceeding. It's monstrous ! 

Isabella. 
Disgusting ! 

Lady Cotteell. 
Foul! 

Heney. 
If he mayn't dine quietly with his secretary. 

Isabella. 
It may be indiscreet. 

Lady Cotteell. 
Don't be so provincial, Mrs. Worthington, 
It isn't at all indiscreet. It might be for some 
people if they were that kind of person, but a 
serious man of his age dining alone with his 
typist to talk about his business, dressed in suit- 
able clothes and drinking what I often drink 
myself, — I can't see anything in it at all. 

LOFISE. 

They were clasped together in a wild em- 
brace. 



A SINGLE MAN 1 65 

Lady Cottrell. 
That I refuse to believe. 

Henry. 
So do I, absolutely. 

Isabella. 

And so do I. 

Louise. 

Can't you see what it all means ? "We were 
all to have dined at the Hendersons' last even- 
ing — we three — and Mr. Worthington. At the 
last moment Mr. Worthington backs out — says 
he wishes to dine alone. We are packed off. 
In our absence comes this woman. Not a word 
to any of us to say she is expected. I arrive 
home early and find them in this most compro- 
mising position. And it's not only what took 
place last evening. Think of the hoars and 
hours a day they spend shut up in this room 
together. 

Henry. 
Working. 

Louise. 

[^Sharply to Mm.] How do we know what 
goes on ? 

[Henry and Isabella exclaim to- 
gether. 



1 66 A SINGLE MAN 

Henry. 
"What d'you mean ? 

Isabella. 
Louise ! 

Louise. 
{Ignoring their exclamations^ turns to Lady 
CoTTRELL.] You surcly won't let your daugh- 
ter be engaged to a man while he is carrying 
on an intrigue with another woman. 

Isabella. 
[Indignantly.'] Louise ! 

Henry. 

[At the same time that Isabella exclaims.'] 

Keally, Miss Parker, I 

[All excejpt Lady Cottrell talk at once. 

Lady Cottrell. 
[With authority.] Leave her to me. [She 
addresses Louise calmly hut loitheringly.] We 
decline to believe one word of your unsupported 
testimony against our friends. You have told 
us what is untrue. We know Mr. Worthington. 
He is a man of exceedingly high character. 
As for Miss Heseltine, I cannot say that I know 
her — but I have observed her. She satisfies 
me. I am convinced that she is a most respect- 
able young woman. 



A SINGLE MAN 167 

Louise. 
How can you tell by ohserving a woman 
whether she is respectable or not ? 

Lady Cotteell. 
I can sniff the difference. 

Louise. 
[^To Isabella.] Surely you see 

Isabella. 
Hush, Louise. I'm ashamed of you — trying 
to make a scandal out of nothing. 

Louise. 
[Mccitedly.'] But it's time, I tell you — it's 
true. They'll deny it, of course, and there's no 
one to support my word, but it's true, it's true, 
it's true ! 

Henry. 
[Indignantly,] You've said enough and a 
great deal more than enough. I take it upon 
myself in my brother's absence to tell you to 
leave the house. 

Louise. 
Oh! 

Henry. 
Hovv you can do such a thing as this — after 
accepting Robin's hospitality — I can't trust my- 



1 68 A SINGLE MAN 

self to say what I think of your conduct. You 
will please leave the house at once, 

Louise. 
Do you think I would consent to remain one 
moment longer in such a house as this f 

Isabella. 
Louise ! 

Louise. 
[Addressing Isabella.] If you can't see 
what's perfectly plain to any intelligent person 
— that's your lookout. 

Lady Cotteell. 
Hush! 

Louise. 

It shall never be said of me that I condoned 
immorality. I leave for Leamington immedi- 
ately — imm ed iately . 

[Exit Louise. They watch her go out, 
and then look at each other in amaze- 
ment. 

Lady Cottrell. 
"What is she thinking of to come to us with 
such a story ? What is her motive ? 

Isabella. 
/know well enough what her motive is. 



a single man 1 69 

Lady Cottrell. 



Tell us. 



Isabella. 
Something must have happened last night. 
He probably repulsed her, and this is ner 
revenge. 

Heney. 
I see. 

Lady Cottrell. 
/don't. 

Henry. 
{To Isabella.] I suppose we had better 
tell Lady Cottrell everything. 

Isabella. 
{In a whisper to Henry.] I don't want her 
to know why I invited Louise here. 

Henry. 

[To Isabella.] No. [lie goes toicards'L\Y)^ 
Cottrell.] I am sorry to have to tell you, 
Lady Cottrell, that Miss Parker has been doing 
her best all the time she has been here to get 
Robin away from Maggie. 

Lady Cottrell. 
\I7wpressed and concerned.'] Indeed 1 



I/O A SINGLE MAN 

Isabella. 

I've had the most dreadful time with her. I 
haven't known what to do. Last evening she 
actually told me she had had the most wonder- 
ful talk with him, and that he had as good as 
admitted to her that he didn't want to marry 
Maggie. Of course, I knew it wasn't true; 
but fancy her saying such a thing. And, later 
on, when Robin backed out of going to the 
Hendersons', she wanted me to let her stay be- 
hind with him. But I wouldn't hear of it. I 
made her come to the Hendersons' with us. 

Lady Cottrell. 

She seems to have found no difficulty in out- 
witting you when she got there. 

Isabella. 

I couldn't keep my eye on her all the time. 
She got out when I wasn't looking. Then I 
suppose she hurried home, thinking she would 
find Bobin by himself, and Avould practice her 
wiles upon him. But, of course, she found him 
with Miss Heseltine. Then I should think that 
he either repulsed her ; or, disappointed at not 
finding him alone, she became so enraged she 
worked herself into the state of mind in 
which a woman can make herself believe any- 
thing. 



A SINGLE MAN I/I 

Lady Cottrell. 
I suppose she'll go and spread this nasty- 
story. 

Isabella. 

I shouldn't wonder. 

[Enter RoBiN. He halts and looks at 
them. He is serious and toorried. 
Lady Cottrell, Henry, and Isa- 
bella watch him in silence for a mo- 
ment. 

Lady Cottrell. 

\To Henry and Isabella.] I think we'd 
better tell him, don't you f [They all look at 
Robin. Robin looks from one to the other for 
an explanation. Lady Cottrell still ad- 
dresses Henry and Isabella.] What do you 
think ? Shall we tell him or not ? [Henry 
goes slowly to Robin, lays his hand kindly on 
his shoulder for a moment, then loalks away. 
Robin watches Henry, wondering., then turns 
to Lady Cottrell and Isabella for an ex- 
planation?^ Perhaps we had better not tell 
him after all. 

Isabella. 

I think we shall ha^oe to teU him. 

Henry. 
I think so, too. It appears, Robin, that last 
evening 



1/2 A SINGLE MAN 

Isabella. 
I can't think how she could. 

Lady Cottrell. 
Miss Parker says that Miss Heseltine is your 
mistress. 

[RoBiif is so taken aback and distressed 
he canH speak for a moment^ hut looks 
round helplessly at the others. 

Heney. 
[Sympathetically.'] We don't believe it. 

Isabella. 
We told her so. 

Robin. 
Of course it's not true. [He sits at his desk. 
They watch him anxiously. After a moment hs 
looks up.] You'd better tell me what else she 
said. 

Henry. 
She said that you dined here last evening 
alone with Miss Heseltine. 

Robin. 
That's true. 

Henry. 
And that you were drinking champagne. 



A SINGLE MAN 173 

KOBIN. 

That's true. 

Henry. 

She also said that you — that she saw you 

[He hesitates, not quite knowing how to 
exjpress himself. 

Lady Cottkell. 
Embracing, 

EOBIN. 

\^After a pause.] I want to marry Miss Hes- 
eltine. [They all look at Robin, the7i at each 
other, mute with surprise. Robin addresses 
Lady Cottrell.] That's what I went to tell 
Sir Richard. I didn't see him. He'd gone out 
— so I may as well tell yotc. I — I find I've 
made a mistake, and I don't care for Maggie as 
much as I thought I did ; so the only honourable 
thing for me to do now is to break off my en- 
gagement. 

Henry. 

[Dismayed, then sloivly perceiving what he 
imagines to be the truth.] Bravo ! [They all 
look at Henry in surprise.] I call that mag- 
nificent. [To Robin.] To sacrifice yourself 
in order to save Miss Heseltine's reputation. 
It's noble. 

Robin. 

[Bewildered.'\ But 



174 A SINGLE MAN 

Isabella. 
[Smiling at KoBiN.] It's j ust like you, Robin. 

Robin. 

But 

Lady Cottrell. 
[Beaming upon him.^ Most chivalrous ! 

Robin. 
[To Lady Cotteell.] Bu' 

Lady Cottrell. 
[Holding up her hand to silence RoBiN as she 
says.] But don't forget that one may carry 
chivalry too far and become quixotic. 

Robin. 
You don't understand. I love Miss Hesel- 
tine. UJ-'hey all laugh heartily. 

Lady Cottrell. 

My dear, good man — what is the use of try- 
ing to bluff us f 

Robin. 

[Coming towa/rds Lady Cottrell as he 
speaks.'] I'm very much in earnest, Lady Cot- 
trell. I realize what a very serious matter it is 
to break off an engagement, and I don't for one 
moment want to underestimate my responsibili- 
ties — but surely it is better to recognize my mis- 
take now instead of later on. 



A SINGLE MAN I75 

Lady Cottrell. 

{Preparing to he indignant.'] To hear you 

talk one would suppose — oh — \reinenihering lie 

is hitting, as she thinks] but of course you don't 

mean it. [Slie smiles and pats him on the arm. 

KOBIN. 

Can't you all see that this is quite a likely 
thing to happen? It's most unfortunate. I 
am much to blame — but it's not the first time 
that a man has got engaged and then found out 
that he loved some one else. 

Isabella. 
{Sweetly?^ Robin, dear — if it were really 
true that you love Miss Heseltine — you'd have 
thought of it before now. 

Robin. 
That's the funny thing about it. I have 
known her for five years, and I never discov- 
ered I was in love with her till last evening. 

Lady Cottrell. 
Most unconvincing ! 

[Lady Cottrell and Isabella laugh. 

Robin. 
{Distractedly 7\ Can't I make them under- 
stand? \To PIenry.] You., Henry. You 
know when I mean a thing 



1/6 A SINGLE MAN 

Henry. 

{^Calmly and Mndly and rather pompously.'] 
I believe you would make this sacrifice, but 1 
shall not let you, 

Robin. 
[Taken aback by Henry's superior attitude.'] 
Oh — indeed ! [Derisively.] You won't let me. 
We'll see about that. 

Henry. 

It's totally unnecessary. Take the advice of 
a man of the w^orld ; I'm younger than you, I 
know — but you see — after all — you are only a 

writer [Robin turns to h'lm quickly as 

if to retort] I don't mean to be offensive 

Robin. 
I'm sure you don't, Henry ; but if I did hap- 
pen to want the advice of a man of the world 
— I should never think of going to a thick- 
headed soldier. 

Isabella. 

[Indignantly when Henry is called a thick- 
headed soldier.] Oh ! 

Henry. 
[Coming to Isabella and speaking indul- 
gently of Robin.] Never mind, dear. The 
poor old fellow is so upset. 



A SINGLE MAN 1 77 

Lady Cottrell. 
[Beassuring Henry atid Isabella.] He'll 
come to his senses directly. 

Henry. 
I hope so. The trouble with him is — he 
doesn't know life. He lives in a world of his 
own — a world of romantic books where they 
indulge in these heroic sacrifices. 

Isabella. 
[To KoBiN.] You see, Kobin ; even if Louise 
did go and spread this story, nobody would be 
likely to believe her, so it wouldn't do Miss 
Heseltine much harm. 

Henry. 
We shall all do what we can to protect Miss 
Heseltine. 

Lady Cottrell. 
/ will befriend the girl. I will go to her 
now. 

Robin. 

[Coming quickly towardsLABY CoTTRELL.] 
No. [Bises. 

Lady Cottrell. 

Where does she live ? 

Eobin. 
I shan't tell you. 



178 a single man 

Lady Cottrell. 
Maggie knows. 

KOBIN. 

Lady Cottrell ! I canH let you go to Miss 
Heseltiiie. You'll talk her round. She'd pack 
up her little box and go away without a word. 

Lady Cottrell. 
But I'm going to ask her to stay. To let 
every one see that there isn't a word of truth 
in Miss Parker's story — I shall ask Miss Hesel- 
tine as a personal favour to Die — to remain here 
after your marriage. 

KOBIN. 

Impossible. 

Lady Cottrell. 
Not at all. Maggie is a sensible girl. She 
knows that every literary man is closeted for 
hours daily with a typist. She won't be jealous 
of Miss Heseltine. I'll soon put everything all 
right. You shall have them both. 

\_Exit Lady Cottrell. 

Robin. 
[Desperately.'} I don't want Maggie. 

Henry. 
Why? 



A SINGLE MAN 179 

Robin. 
She's too young. 

Isabella. 
Three weeks ago you were all for youth. 

Robin. 

I know I was, but I've had enough of it. 

Maffffie is just as sweet and pretty as she was 

three weeks ago, but now that I've got to 

know her better— I can't see anything in her 

at all. 7 7 7 7 

[Henry and Isabella botli took ex- 
tremely shocked. 

Isabella. 
If he really feels that way about her. 

Henry. 
[Smiles reassuringly at Isabella.] He 
doesn't. I know exactly how he feels. [He 
approaclies Robin and says kindly.'] You have 
got what we call in my regiment " Bridegroom's 
Funk." We all get it as the wedding-day ap- 
proaches. I'd have given anything to get out 
of marrying Isabella when it came to the last 
week. 

Isabella. 

[Indignantly.'] Oh — oh! ^ 

[She hursts into tears and hurries towards 
the window. 



l8o A SINGLE MAN 

Henry. 
[ Very rrmch distressed, follows Isabella.] 
Isabella ! Listen ! I only meant 

Isabella. 
[ Wailing as she goes out.] You don't love 
me. [^xit Isabella. 

Henry. 
Isabella ! [^xit Henry. 

KOBIN. 

Idiots ! 

[£kter Miss Heseltine. She is with- 
out her hat. 

Miss Heseltine. 
[Pausing on the threshold.] I didn't know 
whether to come as usual this morning or not. 

EOBIN. 

I'm so glad you came. Now at last we can 
talk sense. Shut the door, please. [Miss Hes- 
eltine shuts the door and meets him.] She 
told. 

Miss Heseltine. 
I knew she would. 

Robin. 
They won't believe her. 



A SINGLE MAN l8l 

Miss Heseltine. 
Who won't ? 

KOBIN. 

Lady Cottrell and Henry and Isabella. They 
won't believe me either when I say that I want 
to break my engagement and marry you. 

Miss Heseltine. 
Has Maggie been told ? 

KOBIN. 

Not yet. She won't believe it when she is, 
and even if she does, they'll all be at her, telling 
her I don't mean what I say and urge her not 
to let me off. I don't know what to do. They 
won't any of them believe anything. It would 
be awfully funny if it wasn't us. 

[He paces up and down. 

Miss Heseltine. 
I never thought of them taking it this way. 
It simplifies it for us very much. 

RoBiisr. 
[I^ot cotnprehending.'] Simplifies it ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
If they none of them believe there's been 
anything between us. 



1 82 A SINGLE MAN 

Robin. 
It leaves me more than ever engaged to 
Maggie. 

Miss Heseltine. 
I don't want to make trouble. 

Robin. 
[Anxiously.] Oh, I say, you don't feel dif- 
ferently about me this morning, do you ? 

[He holds her hand. 

Miss Heseltine. 

[It is evident that she loves him more than 
ever.] After what you said to me last night ? 
No. [ With determination?^ But I don't think 
it right or reasonable that I should come be- 
tween you and not only Maggie, but your 
family and friends. 

Robin. 
[Grimly?^ I've got you all against me now. 

Miss Heseltine. 
"What could I bring you for all that you 
would lose ? I've got no arts to hold you with, 
nor beauty. I could only love you and work 
for you. That isn't always enough. 

Robin. 
There's every reason why you and I should 
marry. Let alone the great reason. Leaving 



A SINGLE MAN 1 83 

love out of the question it's the only sensible 
thing to do. We suit each other. We have 
mutual interests and ideas. The same things 
make us laugh. Besides which, we've got ac- 
customed. I feel no strangeness in your com- 
pany, none of that wearisome effort to be a kind 
of person that I'm nothing like. With you I 
could live my life, I could do my work, I 
could be myself. Whereas with Maggie — poor 
Maggie ! It isn't her fault she's so tiresome. 
It's the fault of her youth. 

Miss Heseltine. 
\_Trouhled.'\ I can't but remember that it 
was / who sounded her for you — here in this 
room — three weeks ago to-day. 

EOBIN. 

I don't think she cares for me much. I don't 
think it's in her to care for any one much. 

Miss Heseltine. 
That's what we want to think. 

EOBIN. 

[ With deterrnination.'] If I were to marry 
Maggie now, I should do her a very great 
wrong. [Miss Heseltine shakes her headJ] 
Oh, yes I should. If I take her away from the 
home where she's happy, playing with her 
brothers and her friends, bring her here and 



1 84 A SINGLE MAN 

don't love her — can't love her — it would be 
cruel. I must tell her everything. I'll go and 
see her now at once. 

Miss Heseltine. 
[^Aiixiously.'] You will tell her, I suppose, 
and then let her choose. 

Robin. 

\_Pausi7ig.'\ Choose ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
Choose whether she will give you up or not. 

Robin. 
Suppose she chooses not to ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
[Simply.] You would have done the right 
thing. 

Robin. 

[Douhtfulli/.'] Yes. [After a momenth re- 
flection^ But I should still be saddled with 
Maggie. I cati't pass the rest of my days with 
a young woman who has no idea of life beyond 
extracting the utmost merriment out of each 
moment. I shall tell her just as kindly and as 
gently as I can, but [Enter Maggie. 

Maggie. 
Good-morning. 



A SINGLE MAN 185 

EOBIN. 

Good-morning, Maggie. 

Maggie. 
I thought perhaps you'd be by yourself. 

Miss Heseltine. 
Am I in the way ? 

Robin. 
\To Maggie.] Do you want to see me 
alone ? 

Maggie. 
What I Teally wanted was to see her first 
and you after. 

Robin. 
Shall I leave you here with Miss Heseltine ? 

Maggie. 
Let me think. \8he considers a moment while 
they watch her.] No ; on second thoughts, I'll 
take you both together. I think I should feel 
more courageous. And I shall only have to go 
over the ground twice if I don't. [To Miss 
Heseltine.] You are in the secret because, if 
you remember, you sounded me about him. 



1 86 A SINGLE MAN 

Miss Heseltine. 
I haven't forgotten. 

Maggie. 
[^Addressing them hoth.'] Would you mind 
seating yourselves ? [Maggie watches them 
seat themselves first then she speaTcs very amiably^ 
addressing Robin.] I don't think you are 
suited to me. I like you very much. You are 
every bit as nice as you were three weeks ago, 
but now that I've got to know you better, I 
find that you depress me. [Robin and Miss 
Heseltine look at each other trying very hard 
not to smile.'] When you play with us, for in- 
stance, I always feel you are trying to be 
another kind of person from the one you really 
are, and that you aren't thoroughly enjoying 
yourself, and then / can't enjoy myself either. 
It isn't your fault. It's the fault of your age. 
I don't mean to say you are old, but you are 
not quite this generation, are you ? 

Miss Heseltine. 
[Protesting.'] Oh ! 

[Robin and Maggie look towards Miss 
Heseltine. 

Robin. 
[Smiling at Miss Heseltine as he sa^ys."] 
There are always two points of view. 



A SINGLE MAN 1 87 

Maggie. 
[ To Miss Heseltine.] It's no use half say- 
ing it or he won't catch my meaning. 

Robin. 
I catch yom* meaning all right. 

Miss Heseltine. 

YTo herself in an undertone.'] He is this 
generation. 

Maggie. 
[To Robin.] It was yesterday it was borne 
in upon me so powerfully the immense differ- 
ence in our ages. You mustn't think I haven't 
thought about this very seriously. I sat up 
quite late last night, talking it all over with 
Bertha. We came to the conclusion that it 
isn't fair to ask a girl of my age to marry a 
man who has had his day. 

Miss Heseltine. 
[Springing up and saying indignantly to 
Maggie.] Oh, no! 

Maggie. 

[To Miss Heseltine.] See here ! You 
were asked to stay in the room to give me 
your moral support 



1 88 A SINGLE MAN 

Miss Heseltine. 
I know I was — but when I hear you talk like 
that about him — even a secretary has her 
feelings. 

Maggie. 

{Kindly to Miss Heseltine.] I mean to 
say — he has lived and I haven't. The world 
isn't all new and exciting to him the way it is 
to me. I want parties and people all the time. 
He's had all that and wants to settle down. 
There's the difference between us. 

KOBIN. 

You've hit the nail on the head, Maggie. 

Maggie. 
[Going to Kobin.] There's something else I 
must tell you — something you may not like. 

Kobin. 
[Smiling hopefully.] You've fallen in love 
with a boy of your own age. 

Maggie. 

Oh, no. 

Miss Heseltine. 
A man of your own age. 

Maggie. 
Nothing of that sort. It's this. There used 



A SINGLE MAN 189 

to be some notion that it wasn't honourable for 
a girl to break off her engagement unless the 
man were willing to set her free. 

Robin. 
[^Pretending to Maggie to he seriously im- 
pressed. '\ Indeed. 

Maggie. 
People don't hold that notion now. 

Miss Heseltinb. 
You don't say so ! 

Maggie. 
[To RoBiisr.] I thought you might be old- 
fashioned and want to hold me to my promise. 

RoBi]sr. 
[Airily.'] Oh, dear me, no — you'll find me 
quite up-to-date on that point. 

Maggie. 
[Looking at Robin with adtniration.'] I 
must say you are taking it splendidly. 

Robin. 
[Trying to speak gravely.'] I am doing my 
best to disguise my feelings. 

[Enter Louise. She wears the travelling 
clothes in which she arrived in the first 
act, and seems rather hysterical. 



I90 A SINGLE MAN 

Louise. 
[Crying.'] I'm not one to make trouble, but 
I think you ought to know that I am being 
turned out of the house for telling the truth. 
[Addressing Robin.] I owe it to myself to 
justify myself before the girl you are engaged 
to. [Looking at Maggie,] Last night 

Robin. 
[Interrupting her.] No, Miss Parker, no. I 
can't allow that. Besides, Miss Cottrell and 
I are no longer engaged. 

Louise. 
[Greatly surprised.] What ? 

Robin. 
She has broken it off. 

Louise. 

Good gracious ! 

Maggie. 

[Going to Robin, says kindly.] I do hope 
you'll be able to find some one to console your- 
self with — [with a tneaning look and smile 
towardsljQjsm^ some older person ; some one 
who wants to get married as much as you do. 
[ Whispering:] We've all noticed how fond she 
is of you. [She goes to Miss Heseltine and 
takes Jier hy the arm.] Come, let us leave them 
together. 



A SINGLE MAN 191 

Miss HeseltiimE. 
Ko. 

[Louise glides slowly towards Robin 
with her onost seductive smile. He 
steps back a step or two, very inuch 
embarrassed, as she approaches. Enter 
Isabella and Henky. 

Isabella. 

\SpeaTcing as she enters^ Louise ! 

Louise. 
\Annoyed at heing interrupted, says irri- 
tably.'] What is it? 

Isabella. 
Your cab is here. 

Louise. 
You may send it away again. 

{Smiling and unfastening her coat as 
if she were going to stay. 

Maggie. 
{To RoBiisr.] I'm sure you'll be happy to- 
gether. I must be off home to tell mother 
what I've done. [Exit Maggie. 

Robin. 
[Bracing himself] Miss Parker. 

Louise. 
[Smiling up at him.] Louise. 



192 A SINGLE MAN 

Robin. 
The next time you tell the truth please tell 
the whole of it, and add that Miss Heseltine 
and I are going to be married. \^To Miss Hes- 
eltine.] I suppose we are going to get mar- 
ried, aren't we ? [ Taking her hands. 

Miss Heseltine. 
Yes, please. 

Louise. 
[^Rising onajestically and giving her hand to 
Robin.] Good-bye, Mr. Worthington. 

Robin. 
Good-bye, Miss Parker. It has been such a 
pleasure having you here. 

Louise. 

Stop the cab ! 

[Heney and Isabella holt out of the 
door. Louise stalks otit inajestically. 
Miss Heseltine sits down at her 
desk and hegins writing on the type- 
writer. Robin comes hehindher, gently 
draws her hands from the m^achine^ 
and embraces her. 



THE END OF THE PLAY 



RMv/'id 



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THR MAfiKTDATF ^ar°® *** Three Acts. Twelve males, four 
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THE NOTORIOUS MRS. EBBSMITH ?,;tT*i°M™"IS. 

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THP PR API lAATF Play in Four Acts. Seven males, five females. 
IQC mUrWUAlC scenery, three interiors, rather elahorate ; 
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THE Cmnni MKTWFS^ Farce in Three Acts. Nine males, seven 
IIIE DtnUUUTllJlAlrJJ females. Costumes, modem; scenery, 

three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

TBE SECOND MRS. TANQDERAY ^^XTl^^-^c^'- 

tumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

5WPPT I AVFNBFR Comedy in Three Acts. Seven males, four 
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lllC WEAAEIl OEA females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two 
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4 WITE WiraOlT A SMILE l'Z%^f^rJZ..Z: 

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